IT is an open secret that the inequality in the education system has increased substantially over the years in Pakistan. The ever-increasing popularity of the international education systems at the expense of the domestic structure should be a matter of growing concern for the people.

The domestic education system is in tatters with only a nominal investment provided to the sector, which, of course, is not enough for creating a high quality education system.

Furthermore, there are curricula still prevalent in matriculation and FSc that have not been revised for almost an eternity.

The quandary is further compounded by the laxity in checks and balances on invigilation staff and examiners.

The only alternative to domestic education is the British system of education which includes CIE, Edexcel, ACCA and other related qualifications endorsed by the British Council. Excellence in education has been considered to be its paramount advantage and perhaps the sole reason why many parents are inclined towards enrolling their children in British education.

However, have we ever even considered the possible drawbacks of British education? A student spends roughly half a millionon financing British education. This includes only the paper fee and private tuition fee associated with it, and not the school fees. Isn’t it a substantial amount on your secondary and high school education? Are we getting the value for money?

Frankly speaking, I think not. The purity of learning is compromised and we are just throwing money, giving expensive papers and taking costly private tuitions.

Hardly any of us value schooling. Rather, students prefer to sit back home and just concentrate on clearing examinations and, to be honest, this is what society demands. Hence, the enrichment process of schooling that once existed is no more in place. The flow of capital through this system drains our foreign reserves. Although it probably does provide employment opportunities, but, looking at the other side of the picture, this process gives rise to easy money-making.

In the past five or six years we have seen the emergence of high-priced private tuition instructors. Believe me, there are some that charge as much as Rs10,000 per month for a single subject and students usually opt for four to five subjects in A Levels.

Considering all these factors, shouldn’t the government concentrate on our education sector? Shouldn’t they come out with a system of quality education that might replace the British system? Surely, this would ensure uniformity in the structure and would appeal to the masses, which certainly is not the case with the British system.

BILAL MUHAMMAD KHANLahore