I, being a Pakistani, want to divert the governing authorities’ attention towards the matter which can either construct or destruct ourselves ie, “education”.
Education in Pakistan is overseen by the provincial governments now, whereas the federal government mostly assists in curriculum development and accreditation.
Pakistan’s government has failed to provide its people with primary education even though for the country’s long-term stability it’s more important than spending on defence and security. The government has allocated less than 1.5 percent of the country’s GDP for education.
The Pakistani government has to get its priorities right. Pakistan spends almost all its resources on defence and state security, leaving aside little for education. If it really wants to improve its long-term security, it should be pouring money into education, which is actually the best antidote to terror.
It is asserted with great regret by persons of almost every shade of opinion that our educational system has not undergone any change with the change brought about by political independence. It bears no imprint of freedom and appears to be as listless and academic as it used to be during the days of slavery.
Our universities still remain anchored to the pattern that had been introduced a century ago by our British rulers to serve their administrative needs. The imperfection of that pattern is now keenly felt and there is a universal cry for introducing a radical change in the educational system.
MAHAM FATIMA
Karachi
