KARACHI, May 1: In Sindh, which is known for its ancient culture and civilization, the educational standard is on the decline and needs reformers like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Hasan Ali Effendi to infuse a new spirit of learning in its people and enable them to face the challenge of competition.

The Sindhi language media, both print and electronic, though playing an effective role in highlighting the issues confronting the society, needs to develop professional capacity, objectivity, fairness and impartiality.

These views were expressed by scholars speaking at the morning session of the international conference on Sindh: Past, Present & Future on Monday, the third day of the four-day event, at a local hotel. The subject of the morning session, which was presided over by Dr Jawaid Leghari, was ‘Education in Sindh: Role of Print & Electronic Media’.

Known scholar Dr Suleman Sheikh stressed the need for strengthening the primary education system which, according to him “no more exists in the interior of Sindh”.

He warned that unless due attention was paid to primary education, the future of higher learning for new generation would remain bleak.

Dr Sheikh, in his paper on ‘Higher Education: Role of Universities and Other Professional Institutions in Sindh’ traced the history from the Indus valley civilization, and pointed out that there was a formal university at Tak Shalla (Taxila) about 2,500 years back which offered training and education to the members of ruling families in the Indian subcontinent in the subjects of medicine, health care, governance, religion and defence. However, after introduction of Islamic civilization, Sindh had a seat of learning for higher education at Thatta while the modern education started after conquest of Sindh by the East India Company in 1843.

He said that the first university in Sindh was established on April 3, 1947 while there were four professional colleges at the time of Independence. Now in the 21st century, there are nine public sector and 25 private sector universities in the province.

Quoting from the World Bank Report-2006, Dr Sheikh said the new generation is growing up less educated than its parents, despite the increasing numbers of educational institutions. In 1993-94, the number of professional colleges was 165 with an enrolment of 99,197 students whereas in 2002-03, the number of the professional colleges had gone up to 382 with 163,852 enrolments. This indicated that the average strength of students had fallen from 597.5 to 428.9 per institution.

Giving his conclusion, he said the dream of a developed, humane and peaceful society was bound to shatter.

Dr Habibullah Siddiqui, whose paper was on ‘Educational System in Sindh: A Review’ traced the history from the Education system in the area Moenjodaro, dating back 2,500 BC, followed by the Arya-Brahman system of education in Pathshalas and Mandirs. The Buddhist education system was in vogue in the Sindh monasteries, he said.

The Islamic system of education spread in Sindh with the beginning of Arab period which persisted over 1,000 years and still exists in the shape of Maktabs and Madresssahs.

With the advent of British rule, western education system made its way into the society changing its socio-economic fiber over a century. After the Independence, this system was adopted officially due to compulsions.

He said that education in Sindh benefited from the capitalist/colonial British education system. Sindhi language got its present script, which helped both education and literature.

Mr Inam Sheikh recalled the role played by the print and electronic media in creating awareness of politics, rights, and issues confronting the society. However, he said, Sindhi language, culture and society could be served in an effective manner only through an independent national journalism free from the grip of feudal lords.

Zulfiqar Halepoto in his paper on the ‘Role of Sindhi Electronic Media in Influencing Sindhi Society’ said that a combination of traditional and new media was playing a vital role in highlighting the concerns, hopes and dreams of the poor and marginalized people of Sindh.

Mr Halepota stressed the need for following a self-developed policy of ethics, and developing professional capacity, objectivity, fairness and impartiality in Sindhi journalism.

Asha Chand, who has come from Dubai, presented her audio-visual work on a system for children on learning Sindhi language and gaining knowledge of Sindhi culture through folk tales and songs.

Dr Fehmida Hussain read out the paper prepared by Mr Goband Khushalani, who could not proceed to Karachi from Dubai to attend the conference.