Addressing a festering problem without delving deep into the issue does not yield any good. Rather it exacerbates the issue. Despite some off-and-on attempts by various rulers to root out the socio-economic evils, the situation remains on the ground dismal due to the loopholes in our prevailing educational system.
In simple words, the education system of Pakistan is creating multiple tiers of society which are incompatible with each other. In this article, we will dissect all the prevailing evils that are just the outcome of a flawed education system. We need to find the solutions that have been in practice by many regional countries.
The Present Vicious Nexus Between Education System and Socio-Economic Inequality
Here are the following:
Multi-Tiered Economic Societies Being Created
First, when you put a glance at the educational system of Pakistan. You will find how it is creating multiple tiers. The children of the elites go to A/O level schools from where they are even sent out of the country on foreign scholarships. On the other hand, the middle class has only access to government schools and low-standard private schools while the children belonging to the lower strata of society attend religious seminaries.
Read More: Importance of Education in Pakistan
This multi-pronged approach to education is creating unequal classes in terms of social access and economy. Those students of A/O level schools get top-notch jobs in our country whether in the government or private sector.
Middle-class students succeed in fetching lower-level menial jobs or clerical jobs. On the other hand, the children of religious seminaries are completely detached from real word problems. They build their own world of perception. Hence, they end up as ‘Mullahs’.
The Marginalized Strata of Society Being Further Fragmented Due To the Educational System
In the same way, our colonial educational system is exacerbating the woes of the fringed classes. Women and minorities find no respite even in the educational sphere. The vicious atrocities being committed are justified by one example or the other by our educational or religious scholars. The viewpoint of strong elements of society is substantiated.
Related More: Importance of Technical Education in Pakistan
Absence of Innovation And Multitasking in Our Younger Generation
Likewise, our education system has flunked in generating innovation and multitasking abilities in our younger generation. The students of our educational institutions find themselves completely unable to find real-world solutions. They are looking for someone who can come to them and mitigate their suffering.
Most of the Students Are Devoid Of Creative Faculties
Moreover, most of the students in Pakistan are devoid of creative faculties. They only cram and are based on rote learning. It has been pointed out by Cambridge.
Most of the students do not know even rudimentary mathematical formulas.
Our Country is Unable to Resolve Its Socio-Economic Issues Because of the Detachment Between Educational Institutions and Policy Making Bodies
In addition to that, there is no real progress at the policy-making level because the students of universities and colleges are not engaged properly. The menacing threat of unemployment can be rooted out of our country if the actions are spearheaded by universities and policy-making bodies.
Different Syllabus for Various Institutes
Also, we find that in Pakistan, different types of syllabi exist for various students. In some institutes, there is the syllabus of Oxford while some follow the most common PTBB syllabus. These things create a wide wedge between these two types of students.
Most Students Out of Institutions
Last but the least, it has been pointed out that almost 22 million students are still out of school due to various geographic and economic reasons. Almost 70% of these children are women. It means that women are relegated to the lower level only because of a lack of access to education.
Plugging Out the Loopholes in the Education System to Kick-start Socio-Economic Progress
The following paragraphs recommend some viable and pragmatic solutions to wipe out the menacing threat of socio-economic inequality with the weapon of education.
A Level Playing Field Should Be Provided To All
First, the government of Pakistan and the stakeholders concerned should make it their priority that all students are provided with a level playing field. For that purpose, middle-class students should be provided with opportunities to learn and succeed at par with those of elite-class students. The students of religious seminaries should be made to learn the practical knowledge and current realities of the time.
A Uniform Syllabus Should be Created
Similarly, a uniform syllabus should be created so that all learners have access to the same knowledge and syllabus. This will sharpen their mental abilities and broaden their horizon besides eliminating class strata.
Empowering Women Through The Tool of Education Like Bangladesh Did
In addition to that, the segregation of women and lower strata can be eliminated through the provision of education. The example of Bangladesh is a bright example in this regard, Bangladesh achieved this distinction with the provision of free and standard education to women.
A Nexus Should Be Built Between Universities And Policy Research Institutes
Moreover, a strong nexus should be built between the educational institutes and policy-making institutes. The students should be encouraged to participate in the forum.
The Provision of Scholarships and Internships
The students of universities should be provided with foreign scholarships and internships so as to broaden their mental abilities of students.
Online Education Along With E-commerce Really Helps in Eliminating Disparities
Last but not least, with the advent of the digital economy, the dynamics of everything have changed. Now it is really possible to root out the socio-economic inequalities with the help of e-commerce and digital platforms.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, we may conclude that our flawed education system has been perpetuating our socio-economic woes due to a number of lacunae present. It is the right time for the concerned stakeholders to take the initiative. The recurring socio-economic evils can be really rooted out with the help of our robust education system. It all requires dedication, persistence, and commitment from higher authorities.