CRITICAL THINKING: In our insti-tutions, teachers often focus more on marks and grades rather than developing students’ critical thinking skills. This puts pressure on students to memorise the syllabus instead of learning to think deeply or creatively. Critical thinking is just as important as academic per-formance, but unfortunately, it is not emphasised in our education system. If our institutions truly want to prepare students to perform well — both in thinking and in achieving good grades — they must give equal importance to critical thinking. It helps students in understanding the world beyond textbooks.

Aqsa Hashmi
Turbat

SKILL BUILDING: Pakistan is facing a silent crisis in the shape of the widening gap between education and employability. Each year, thousands of graduates step into the job market with degrees, but without practical abilities. Skills are now shaping the modern world. In Pakistan, vocational training institutions lack adequate funding, modern tools and the trust of parents and students. However, other countries have shown how strong vocational training can transform national productivity. Schools should teach tech- nical subjects, vocational training centres must partner with industries, and parents should encourage hands-on professions.

Hafiz Muhammad Abubakar Nadeem
Muzaffargarh

WATER MANAGEMENT: Pakistan ranks among the most water-stressed countries globally. The root of the problem lies not just in climate change, but in poor management. We continue to rely on antiquated, highly inefficient irrigation techniques, resulting in massive water wastage in agriculture, which consumes over 90 per cent of fresh water resources. Urban centres lack effective infrastructure for rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment. Local governments should prioritise the development of wastewater treatment plants to recycle water for industrial and domestic uses other than drinking. We cannot afford to wait for the next drought to hit us.

Bisma Kibriya
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2025