It is an open “secret” that the inequality in the education system has widened 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 nominal investment provided to the sector, which of course is not enough to create a high quality education system. Furthermore, there are curricula still prevalent in matriculation and FSc which 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 this British education system.
However, have we ever even considered the possible drawbacks of British education? A student spends roughly half a million on financing British education. Mind you, this includes only the paper fee and private tuition fee associated with it, and not the school fees. Isn’t it a substantial amount for 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, taking expensive papers and costly private tuitions. Hardly any of us value schooling. Rather, students prefer to sit back at home and just concentrate on clearing exams, and to be honest, this is what the 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-six years, we have seen the emergence of high-priced private tuition instructors. Believe me, there are some that charge as much as ten thousand rupees 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 its focus 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 KHAN
LUMS, Lahore