Pakistan Educational Policies-National

Educational Policies and Nationalization in Pakistan - 1972

Every new government had new National Education Policy with different objectives throughout the history but unable to achieved all designed goals due to involving of political aspects. Pakistan has to face different challenges due to changing of learning policies throughout the history. The government was responsible to monitor and evaluate the performance of institutions. The major role was to ensure all programs completed within timelines. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) played an important role to make nationalize private institutions. This step was taken purely on political basis.

Education Policy of Pakistan - 1979

This was the first education policy after nationalization of institutions in Pakistan. The President of Pakistan called a meeting in Oct 1977 after changing the government in 1977 and new policy was announced in 1979 having following important features in presence of Pakistan Constitution.

v  All contents must be around the Islamic thought

v  All Islamic school must be introduced with new scientific techniques

v  Urdu language should/must be used as medium of instruction in all institutions/offices

v  The government will provide training opportunities for good work production

v  Technical training and learning must be focused

v  Establishment of new institutions along with quality training

v  Community participation must be ensured to increase the literacy rate

v  For women empowerment, separate schools/colleges must be established all over the country

The main objectives and goals of above policy were not implemented and achieved

Educational Policy in Pakistan -1992

Pakistan Education Policy 1992

The main features of this policy were as following:

v  All contents must be around the Islamic thought

v  Make it possible to increase enrollment of primary education by 2002

v  It was decided to increase literacy rate up to 70% by 2002

v  The role of teachers and learning process must be moderate

v  Mobilizing the community/media participation to promote early and primary learning

v  The government will appreciate to private sector and its participation in education programs

v  Vocational and technical skills must be focused at high school level

v  To make strong examination and admission procedure, National Testing Services (NTS) must be introduced which will be helpful to design merit base system all over the country.

Again the main objectives and goals were not achieved/ implemented due to involving of political interests; however following objectives were achieved positively in this policy.

v  To promote early and primary education along with quality.

v  School Management Committee (SMC) system was introduced at lowest level all over the country

v  Pakistani women were invited to play role in teaching profession

v  Quality teachers were focused and encouraged by providing them awards

v  By following the order of Supreme Count of Pakistan, student Unions were banned at university level

Pakistan National Education Policy (1998-2010)

The salient features of changing policies from 1998 to 2010 were as following:

v  It was decided to introduce all learning centers in light of Quran and Sunnah

v  Once again literacy rate was focused to increase up to 70% by 2010

v  Student enrollment was strongly focused to enroll 105% children by 2010 all over the country. For this purpose double shifts were started in existing schools.

v  In this policy secondary school level education also targeted and will try to increase participation from 31% to 48% by 2003.

v  Quality teachers were focused and all teachers must be trained and skilled so that they can introduce students with new scientific techniques

v  The government committed to expand at least 5% for higher education by 2010

Different challenges in other fields like Information Technology, Documentation Services, Innovation Programs, Monitoring and Evaluation system were targeted to face by 2010.

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The Role of Educational NGOs in Pakistan

Challenges for NGOs in Education in Pakistan

Poverty in Pakistan and Educational NGOs Role

The role of educational NGOs can’t be ignoring in Pakistan. These organizations have different tasks to improve culture especially early and primary level children. We have failed to control overpopulation ratio which causes to create different problems for nation. Currently, Pakistan has above 170 millions of population from which above 20 million children are out of school. The uneven distribution of natural resources is a big reason to increase poverty and inflation rate all over the country. Public schools have shortage of motivated teachers, furniture and good environment/culture to set standards. NGOs are ready to offer services such as building capacity, mobilizing, convincing to poor families, idea innovation, analysis and researches. They will also play role in different fields along with networking and partnership creation.

Success of Educational NGO

I have experience to work with an NGO in Lahore. In 2006, a primary school in Badami Bagh area started functioning with only 10 students @ Rs. 10 per month fees. They started vocational learning and training programs as well. After 4 years the community had access to send their children to school in that area. NGOs should not and can’t play the role of government due to dependency on donors but ensure that government is willing to fulfill its responsibilities. In 1947 many voluntary organizations came forward to participate accordingly.

Functions of NGOs in Pakistan Education

NGOs perform the following major functions in this field:

v  Land for school

Educational NGOs in Pakistan

v  Construction process

v  Hiring quality teachers

v  Capital/Budget in hand

v  Opening training centers

v  Arrangement of furniture, books and note books

v  Parents encouraging to send their children in the school instead of labor work

v  Improving the student skills at all levels

v  Time to time meetings with donors and parents

It needs to have good strategy to get desired results. For example, unemployed teachers at low salaries should be target and they should be trained if needed. Today, we need to expand vision statement of learning process to fulfill “Education for All” and have to accept the solid role of NGOs/Private sector.

Further, these organizations have to face following challenges in this field.

v  Cost Effectiveness

Since private and public schools are not ready to admit poor children due to high expenses/dues. But NGOs are successful to convince poor families at low cost.

v  Learning Abilities

Today, NGOs have training programs for teachers and students especially in rural areas they are focusing on communication and development skills.

v  Introducing English Language at Early Stage

Since NGOs are running with children from gross root level families, it is a big challenge to introduce such children with English language.

Foreign Donor’s Contribution in Pakistan Education

Here we want to highlight the role of foreign agencies.

Foreign NGO in Education in Pakistan

Since 1960, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) helps the Pakistan community and providing social support especially in basic learning for poor girls. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has opened different channels with the help of Pakistan Government and private sector. They are ready to focus women issues, teachers training, primary level learning, social culture and health in rural areas. Similarly USAID is playing an important role for Pakistani nation.

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Trends of Vocational Training and Education in Pakistan

Importance of Pakistan Vocational Education- Training Centers

Vocational education and training have been played an important role to increase the individual production, profitability of employees and development expansion. Highly skilled individuals in specific field always considered as an asset for development of any country. Recent researches and paper analyses have proved and accepted the abilities of trained individuals through vocational education all over the country. It is most important if you want to join technical field as well. Since Pakistan education system is weak as compare to other countries of Asia so it needs to have trained individual’s service all over the country. Due to overpopulation situation in the country, millions of people are unemployed and organizations are not ready to bear fresh candidates. This trend rapidly changing day by day and leading companies or institutions have schedule of courses/programs.

The Role of NGOs for Vocational Training and Education

Vocational Training and Education Skills

NGOs have a big role to promote this education and helping the Govt. to reduce unemployment ratio. All unemployed individuals should participate and attend seminars conducted by NGOs/Organizations to get development skills and employment. Individual can get technical skills for skill development and getting jobs with the help of NGOs. Being a big education stakeholder NGOs not only playing a solid role for revenue generation and productivity of skill development but also helping to reduce poverty ratio from all over the country. They are helping the candidates to fulfill the requirement of jobs.

The Role of Vocational Institutions and Training Centers

Institutional Role for Technical &Vocational Training

Since vocational education and training are important part of our education system, all institutions should participate to enhance their abilities accordingly.

v  These institutions should try to develop dynamics and learning structure all over the country.

v  The management must ensure and monitor the standards learning.

v  They should regulate the smooth process of examination and recruitment.

v  The quality education should be core objective of these institutions.

v  All institutions must ensure to have skilled teachers and upgrade their performance periodically.

v  They should have proper equipment/instruments to maintain their standards.

v  To enhance development skills, amongst all institutions must have close coordination and arrange meetings to identify the core issues.

v  The designed courses and programs must be in such a way that individuals can easily participate/admit to improve their skills.

v  These institutions must coordinate with other education stakeholders and try to promote it all over the country.

v  There should be proper evaluation and feedback system to avoid any issue.

Government Role for Vocational Education & Training

Pakistan Govt. Role for Vocation Training and Education

Pakistan Govt. is trying to improve the education system especially from 2001 and have started different projects for this purpose. Since millions of students are unable to get admission in private schools and colleges due to high expenses. Maximum institutions are offering short term courses from primary level to graduation with support of government. The government must also review the “National Education Policy” and specify the budget for this learning all over the country. It needs to open maximum training centers especially in rural areas to produce development skills.

In the end media should start a campaign to promote vocational education and its importance through all channels. The management of technical institutions should revise their policies to remove education flaws. The parents should focus and participate for their under graduate children instead of sending for labor work. 

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Pakistan Special Education and Deaf Children

Special Education for Special Children

Special education for special children has been provided since independence of Pakistan in 1947. This system has to face ups and downs throughout the history. Pakistan stands on 7^th number of most populous in the world but 160^th in literacy rate. Deaf children and special education have become challenge for Pakistan where already millions of children have to go for labor work instead of education. Millions of mothers are unable to feed their children due to poverty situation in the country. Currently, Pakistan has to face above 3% of disable people. By viewing such situation many questions may occur in minds under population pressure like, how a deaf child feels and thinks about his future? How he can get attention of society and parents? How he can play an important role for his country? The progress for special people was seen in different decades especially from 1,980 to 1,995. All stakeholders like Govt. of Pakistan, NGOs, Parents and Teachers played an important role for special people all over the country.

Special Education and Training Centers of Deaf Children

Special Education of Deaf

From 1,947 special schools and training centers have been opened for deaf children and treated separately. Since Pakistan has high illiteracy rate of population so all concerned stakeholders have different approach of behavior and treating methods to such individuals. Generally, all regular institutions avoid admitting the disable and deaf students. The management of regular schools thinks that they will have to arrange special arrangements like hearing tools, training centers and teachers for these students. They think that it is responsibility of special schools and training centers so avoid from disable children. The parents and teachers think that deaf individuals have low learning qualities so should be treated separately from normal students.

Instructional Approach for Deaf Children

Special Training of Deaf

Since Pakistan has poor education system, so instructional approach in general and special education not being effective. It has to been observed that most of teachers and parents never used “Sign Language” for special children. Similarly most of teachers avoid using cued speech in class rooms. It needs to use “Sign Language” at national level to help out in improving communication skills accordingly. The special schools and training centers are not in good position so that can introduce deaf students with new techniques and learning ways. The institutions are unable to purchase equipment and higher the trained teachers. Resultant  they are unable to provide fruitful results. Further, it has been observed that above 90% don’t have expensive hearing aids for this purpose.

General Perception about Special Education and Deaf Children

Pakistani society is not ready to provide positive response to deaf individuals. Generally, they don’t treat them as part of this society and think that all deaf individuals have low ability to survive in lives. Due to poverty situation and countrywide unemployment all disable people are looking like burden for society and should be treated separately by sitting Govt. Normally, parents are ready to attend their normal children and haven’t time for deaf children. They don’t have to attend meetings with teachers and follow instructions or guidelines for betterment as well. The organizations are not ready to have vacancies or special quota for these special candidates/applicants. They are offering only low grades at low salaries ignoring the qualities candidates.

In the end all stakeholders including NGOs should come forward and play an important role for all disable people.

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Education and Poverty in Pakistan

Highlights of Poverty in Pakistan

The Poverty in Pakistan has become major issue, it is important to understand the basic reason of poverty in Pakistan and its effects on education in Pakistan system. Pakistan can’t deny this ground reality that millions of children are not going to school and million of mothers are unable to feed their children due to poverty. The poverty in Pakistan not only affects education system but also people living standards. The various reasons are to be found to increase ration of poverty in Pakistan as “Un-employment, Distribution of resources”.

Poverty in Pakistan

Due to poverty in Pakistan millions of families are living under poverty line and can’t afford even basic education in Pakistan for their children and have to drop out during education in Pakistan, unable to pay fees and other responsibilities in other words millions of children have no access to get education in Pakistan as well. Although the government has constitutionally mandated free education in Pakistan, as stated by Article 25-A of the 18th Amendment in the Constitution, which reads, “The state shall provide free and compulsory educational to all children aged of five to 16 years..,” such promulgations are useless rhetorical charades until the state enacts a series of policies that directly target the specific reasons that prevent a child from attaining his or her constitutionally-mandated, non-negotiable right to a free education in Pakistan.

Monitoring the Education Policies

The Government should review the poverty in Pakistan and education in Pakistan policies because education and training are interlined with ratio of poverty in Pakistan, especially it needs to address in rural areas where girls are forced to stop educating. It has been observed that poor parents are taking help their children to spend seasonal farming or other work activities to face financial activities. Thousands of children have to go for crime due to situation of poverty in Pakistan.

Child Labor in Pakistan

Student Enrollment Rate

The Public education in Pakistan have bad situation in sense of student enrollment rates, in rural areas enrollment rates are decreasing with the passage of time each year and mostly it happens due to poverty in Pakistan. Millions of families are unable to spend extra coin. For example a poor family has to face suddenly an accident or emergency then may require a child to go for labor work instead of getting education in Pakistan and provide assistance accordingly, in such case child is going to take up new responsibilities for whole life.

Due to wrong distribution of financial resources and poverty in Pakistan, millions of families are unable to set their goals for future and prevent from any strategically planning. The true picture of poverty in Pakistan effects on education in Pakistan looks in internal Sindh and Baluchistan rural areas. Approximately above 90 percent children are not going to school in our tribal areas.

Role of Govt./NGOs/Educational Institutions/Media

Educational NGOs in Pakistan

In the end we are surprised to know that Pakistan has number of laws regarding protection of child rights and NGOs are working on it as well as on poverty but even then state has fails to deliver results accordingly. This is shocking for us that majority of people are living under poverty in Pakistan line then how it is possible to get education for all. Its responsibility of “The Government, Parents, NGOs, Educational Institutions and Media” to come forward and participate for children right of education in Pakistan. The Government will have to work for poverty policy because it is directly affecting education system in the society.

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Challenges for Pakistan Teacher Education-Training and Development

Importance of Teacher Education and Training in Pakistan

Teacher’s education and knowledge is crucial and important in enhancing of student’s knowledge. All developed and less developed countries all over the world are trying to improve quality through capable educators with new techniques. Pakistan had to face such issues and now trying to create good environment for betterment in future, the quality depends upon the ability, knowledge, assessment and experience because we believe “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

Current Challenges for Teachers in Pakistan

Teaching in Pakistan

Due to poor culture and system, Pakistan has to face different challenges such as lack of process and consistent leaning policies throughout the history. Unfortunately the nation has to face different categories such as Islamic, Public and Private. The network of private system is expanding day by day. Public institutions are the main source to produce best and quality educators but should review the delivery mechanism.

The role of NGOs/Educational Institutions/Training Centers

NGOs in Pakistan Education

NGOs are playing an important role to produce for this purpose all over the country. They are offering training centers and learning points to produce quality. The sitting government and media are supporting to NGOs/Donors which are producing trained schooling staff. In different decade’s reforms and innovations during education policies and environment, the Government of Pakistan has tried to develop such environment in form of Pre-Service programs with help of US-AID. These programs should be appreciated for improvement in society, however in all other areas it needs to take serious consideration and sustainability of new initiatives.

Steps need to be taken for Teacher's Education in Pakistan

v  The Public and Private institutions should make strong learning process by providing reference books and course outlines to faculty members. All institutions should provide training facilities to make strong system.

v  All institutions should expand the network of internet and computer skills to produce quality, so that they can learn and get training through videos and audios.

v  They should introduce new scientific techniques with help of IT department to produce quality to achieve upcoming goals.

v  All Public and Private Institutions should monitor and review the teacher’s ability and teaching approach/techniques/methods during class time on regular basis to improve accordingly.

v  The Higher Management of all institutions should have a review and monitor the instructions/process flow is being followed by all staff members to maintain the education policy standards.

v  It needs to have such collaborative environment/training centers of Public and Private institutions that staff members of all level can participate and get benefits from training seminars according to their skills(training schedule and participants should be declared monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis).

v  All faculty staff themselves should make strategies to educate students according to policy.

v  It needs to have good job opportunities so that they can perform well.

The Educators

All above issues and suggestions should be addressed during management meetings to have one education system all over the country, quality for students, improvement/ betterment in future.

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Importance of Education in Pakistan-Knowledge is Power

Essay on Education in Pakistan-Speech 

 “Mom, I don’t want to go to school” The statement is painful and harsh for parents. Knowing the importance of education in Pakistan, millions of children are out of schools and have to go for labor work. Even though the government, parents, teachers and media are trying to focus on its awareness in all over the country. We should believe in Knowledge is Power and promote for betterment of our future. On the other hand religion Islam has strongly focused on its importance for human development as our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has expressed as

v  To get knowledge is compulsory for men and women

v  Get knowledge from nursery to grave

Our system is being overlooked and monitored on both the provincial and federal level, according to our Constitution under Article 25-A, its responsibility of government to provide free and quality education in Pakistan falling under age 5 to 16 years.

Beyond the Marks/Grades

Knowledge is Power

It is common concept in our society that a student having good marks is considered an intelligent and brilliant but it need to know how he has passed and got these marks. The importance of education in Pakistan will be realized when he will go for research or practical, so we should focus especially on quality instead of just passing marks and getting grades. Unfortunately our institutions and training centers are based on corruption so need to be getting rid of it on urgent basis.

Career Build

Career Building

The different institutions have story and are playing an important role to build their student careers and trying to provide quality resources accordingly. It helps to develop career after getting degree or diploma from government and private institutions. The companies are looking for brilliant students for their manufacturing and production strategies and decision making. It will show the right way to go forward for career advancement in society, once student has good background can grow his/her career easily with handsome salary package. Some students are interested to focus on technical training for their own business and serving accordingly.

Character Build

Education means training of moral and character development of human personality, our schooling system not only building career of people but also helping to grow their character; a qualified person has ability to solve problems under pressure with the help of social skills. It is providing power of decision making under different environment and culture. The government and media are trying to work together for building training and development centers in society.

Time Counter

Time Restraint

It helps to manage all things within calculated time frame e.g. If I have given an assignment which has to be returned within 10 days but I have no ideas, ability then will be unable to finish my assignment within given time period. If a student is looking himself at CEO position and doing struggle continuously then it will provide the right direction to set his goals within 10 years.

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Flaws of Pakistan Education System

Introduction to Pakistan Education

      Pakistan Education System is weak as compare to other countries in the region and have to joint struggle to move forward. From 1947 Pakistan education system is facing problems in all decades but little bit have been solved. By William Butle Yeats “Education is not the filling of pail, but the lighting of a fire” and “The whole purpose of education is turn mirrors into window” by Sydney J. Harris. There are various reasons of flaws of Pakistan Education System, in this article we will discuss that reasons and try to provide best suggestions accordingly so that have a stronger education system in Pakistan as we believe on “Education for All".

    We should have keep in mind the following point for stronger Pakistan Education System.

    Basic Education System in Pakistan   

Basic Education in Pakistan

 

    It is most important the awareness of basic education in the society, for this purpose media can play an important role. The ratio of Primary enrollment can be increase by starting this campaign e.g print and electronic media can spread this message in rural areas also. The most important is to aware the importance of women education as Pakistani women are playing an important role in every field of life. We would be shocked to know that near about 7 million children are not going to school in primary stage. However Pakistan has a plan to spend at least 4 to 5 percent of GDP on education system

.

    Public Education in Pakistan

    The Governments of Pakistan in every decade have failed to groom the standard of “Public education schools” as well as system. Due to high level of corruption in all departments of education, students are unable to get quality education in public schools. The administration is not performing well and accountability is missing at all levels. As we well aware about it that many of Pakistan’s government schools have closed in our rural areas especially. By analyzing we found following flaws in Public schools.

·      The teachers of government schools are not properly prepared and much qualified; due to these flaws they can’t deliver a good message and introduce the students with new scientific techniques.

·       The teachers not concentrate and treat to each student equally in the class, due to this behavior student feel underestimate.

·         The government is not ready to spend or increase GDP ratio on education system.

·         The students of government schools have not many facilities like library, Practice or training centers.

·     The children of rich people are going to “Private Schools” instead of “Government Schools” due to low education system.

·       Due to low education standard in government schools, student would not be able to participate in competition of life.

Private Sector Education System in Pakistan

The private education sector is little bit providing good and quality education to the students as compare to government schools. The private education sector is most important factor in improving of “Pakistan Education System”. The private education sector is struggle in terms of increasing no of schools and facilities for betterment of education standard in Pakistan. However there are also some flaws in private sector education system as follows.

·         Due to much expensive schools only rich families are going to private schools so, need to discourage this concept.

·         The administration of private sector treats the education as a business so parents have to pay accordingly.

·         Most of the teachers are not well trained but getting good salary so unable to introduce the student with new techniques and training

·         The private education sector is not willing to compete the global standards

·         Due to co education system in private sector adults are taking interest each other and wasting their times instead of education.

      Poverty affects on Pakistan Education System



Labor Child in Pakistan



     Another big flaw of Pakistan education is “Poverty” that bound the parents to send their children to go to schools.  We have already discussed that millions of children are not going to schools and millions of mothers are unable to feed due to this course. To reduce the poverty ratio all participants e.g. The Government, NGOs, Private and Public Sectors should come forward and try do some thing.

     Conclusion/Suggestions:

     By analyzing the “Pakistan Education System” we are now able to conclude that Pakistan education system is weak as compare to other countries in the region and has to do some bold steps to provide quality education.

·         The government should increase GDP level as much as possible

·         There should be equal opportunity for women to perform well in this field

·         Private schools should not be much expensive so that poor child can go that private schools also

·         The teachers should be well trained and educated  so that can deliver lectures properly

·         The number of students in the class should be according to capacity of class room so that teacher can attend to each student properly

·         The government and other institution should come forward to reduce poverty line in the country.

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