KARACHI, May 29: Class-based educational system is making it difficult for lower-middle and lower classes forming 87.5% of the total population to get better education.

Schools resembling palaces are for the elite of the country. Fees ranging between Rs1000 to Rs2500 are being charged in such schools. English speaking during school timing is compulsory and entire courses studied in these schools are in the same language. The books included in the syllabus are mostly foreign publications and quite tough and expensive. The rules of attendance are very tough and students may be expelled because of a few absences.

Teachers in these schools work hard and pay full attention to students and have no right to beat them. Most of them work on contract basis and are often terminated on the complaint of students or their parents.

Extracurricular activities are regularly arranged. Functions, book fairs and visits to historical places are also included in educational activities. They are arranged on quarterly and half- yearly basis.

The second type of schools, where mostly children belonging to middle and lower middle class are studying, occupy 400 yards to 1000 yards and charge fees ranging between Rs400 to Rs1200. The standard of education in these schools in not as high as that of the previously mentioned schools. They usually teach locally published books or books prescribed by the Sindh Textbook Board. English speaking during school timing is not necessary and teachers have the right to punish students. The rules of attendance are also tough. Very few of them arrange extracurricular activities.

Government schools, where majority of students is studying, are spread over thousands of yards. The quality of education and the environment here are pathetic. No attendance rule is observed and teachers are free to teach or not to teach. They have full authority to thrash the students.

A survey has revealed that a sense of deprivation is rapidly rising among the students belonging to the lower class with the education department not paying any attention at all. Most of these students, even after passing their matric examinations, cannot write a few sentences in English and face immense problems on that score in higher classes.

On the other hand, the students belonging to the upper class have every opportunity for a bright future as they are fluent in English and are skilled in the use of computer. The survey calls for concrete steps to remedy the wrong.—PPI