Brutality and violence do not hold much water in the history of the modern world as compared to the positive impacts of education. If history is a good guide to go by, it has been seen time and again that true change in the soul of barbarous civilization was effected with the help of education and true instructions.
Even the great Islamic culture was not built in a day. It was the result of the teachings and instruction of the Holy Prophet that a magnificent edifice of Islamic culture was built.“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world in a most desired way” (Nelson Mandela)
Looking at the individual level, the importance of education cannot be denied in the life of an individual. All economic, social, religious, philosophical, scientific, and technological progress is possible only through the instrument of education.
At the same time. great nations have been enabled to design the rule of the existing global order only through multi-tier progress achieved with the aid of education. Humanity was able to conquer the previous dark ages because of exemplary success in the field of education. In this article, I will share the importance of education in all fields of education. Finally, we will see how it is the need of the hour to invest in the education portfolio.
Decoding the term ‘Education’
As per UNESCO,
“Education is the process of facilitating learning or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits“
United Nations decodes this term more comprehensively,
“The act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.“
Importance of Education in Pakistan
World Economic Forum Strategic Intelligence paper quotes regarding the importance of education in Pakistan,
“Explore and monitor how education, skills, and learning are affecting economies, industries, and global issues.“
Considering the importance of education in Pakistan, one may dissect the importance in the following dimensions:
Economic Potential of Education
The economy of Pakistan is going through a severe meltdown. It posted a growth of below 2 percent after negative growth. We all know that today is the age of the knowledge economy. Gone are the days of manual labor.
To transform this country into a real knowledge-based economy, the literacy rate should be enhanced and basic IT skills must be imparted to the coming generations. Further, after industrialization has taken the place of agriculture, it is the dire need of the hour to harness this portfolio to its maximum through highly skilled and educated manpower.
Social Norms and Reformation through Education
Our society is engulfed with a multitude of stereotypes and fixed dogmas that push the fringed elements to the wall. Education can help a lot especially when it comes to breaking the glass ceiling of women suppression and minorities or transgender empowerment. Deeply held social beliefs can be countered through logical reasoning. It will transform the social fabric in a better way.
Strategic Importance
Education is highly important in the strategic portfolio as well. With the emergence of hybrid warfare, social media along with all types of information channels have assumed greater importance. A well-educated and highly informed citizenry is required to counter the nefarious designs of anti-state elements. Oprah Winfrey,
“Education is the key to unlocking the world. It is the passport to freedom.“
Positive Impacts of Science and Technology
When Covid-19 invaded the world, the research and development sector of Pakistan came under heavy attack. It wreaked havoc on the already burdened health sector of Pakistan. People were looking at every step of government with an eye of suspicion. After this, it made it necessary that the citizenry should be well-informed to counter the evil designs of anti-state elements.
Similarly, with the expansion of IT, e-commerce has assumed greater dimensions. In this era of unemployment, the youth should be trained and educated so they can maximize their skills and education for the betterment of themselves and their country as well.
Education As a Counter to the Horrendous Wave of Extremism
Extremism has shaken the very basics of the social fabric. Anti-state elements are propagating their nefarious propaganda to the fringed classes to their benefit. All this can be countered by providing all the classes of society with proper education which is everyone’s right as well under article 25-A.
Positive and Vibrant Youth
Finally, education is said to be the fodder for our brains. Education can turn this pessimist society into an optimist society and generate a healthy mindset. A well-educated youth has many solutions to the existing plethora of issues.
Related Resource: How Reading Changes Your Life?
Scope of Education in Pakistan
When we unravel the mystery of the current scope of education in Pakistan, it can be summarized in the following points.
E-COMMERCE and Its Scope
E-Commerce has taken the place of physical commerce. Almost 80% of today’s business has shifted to online commerce. It has offered a lot of programs like affiliate marketing, cyber security specialist, freelancers, and a multitude of other problems.
The required qualifications and skills are just basic education and typing skills along with the knowledge of basic computers. As per the Economic Survey of Pakistan, the exports in the IT sector have skyrocketed in the previous year.
Medical Field
The field is highly noble and has potential. It can generate for anyone a huge revenue in just a short period. The medical student has to complete a professional degree after which he does some house jobs. After FCPS and specialization in any field, government jobs are offered. Besides doctors are running their businesses successfully.
Engineering Portfolio
A lot of fields are under the cover of engineering. Aspirants can opt, for mechanical, electrical, software, or chemical engineering. This field is highly in demand. The novice is offered internships in well-reputed companies. You just need an engineering degree from any recognized university.
Chartered Accountancy
CA is becoming the craze of every other student nowadays. It is started after your intermediate degree. After which, ACCA or CA from an International conglomeration of institutions is offered. After completing this potential degree, a learner is offered jobs in the reputed public sector or private institutions with a handsome income. Also, foreign institutions may hire you and lure you.
Lectureship
If you have just completed your Masters in any degree, you are on the verge of success. You should prepare for the slot of lecturer through related public service commissions. After joining, you are offered the honorable post having a scale of 17.
CSS/PMS
All the countries around the world have their public service commissions to recruit their nursery of bureaucrats. After becoming a CSP or a PMS officer, you are offered the positions of ACs, ASPs, etc. The basic degree required is just graduation in any discipline. You will have a lucrative career waiting for you.
Current Status of Education in Pakistan
As far as the current status of education in Pakistan is concerned, it paints a dismal picture. In the following paragraph, you will find all the key facts:
Literacy Rate
The current literacy rate of Pakistan hovers around 60 to 65%. It is the lowest rate in the region considering the statistics of other countries. 22 million school-going-age children are out of school.
A Huge Gender Gap Presenting a Doomsday Scenario
If you delve deep into the data, you will find that males have a literacy rate of 78 percent while women have a literacy rate of just 58 percent they constitute 52 percent of our population. Rural women are always on the receiving end of the problem. Rural women have a literacy rate of just 38 percent.
Societal Mindset Regarding Education
A recent study by Alif Alaan has shown that 79 percent of people are of the view that earning should be the main focus instead of education. A major part of society is against the education of girls.
Prevailing Educational Set-up Exacerbates The Socioeconomic Issue
If we look at the prevailing educational set-up in Pakistan, we will find that there are three tired systems in our society. The lower rungs of our society usually go to madrassas while the middle classes send their children to private schools. The elites like to send their children to public sector schools.
As a result, A class of mullahs, clerks, and businessmen or officers is generated which further divides the social fabric and generates parity.
Rote-Based Education System
The current education system of Pakistan is highly rote-based which generates students who are incompatible with practical life. They do not find any solutions to their economic problems.
Deep-Rooted Issues of Education in Pakistan
To treat an ailment, one may have to look at the underlying causes which may have exacerbated the issue:
Multi-Tired Educational System
Pakistan has a long history of experiments with its educational system. It has been following a multi-tired educational system as per colonial traditions. The notoriously known system is worsening the socio-economic divide in the country. A class of religious-minded persons comes out of religious seminaries who find themselves incompatible with the practical realities. Middle-class graduates lack exposure like elite-class scholars.
Rote-Based Learning
Rote-based learning is followed in the educational system of Pakistan. As a result, a class of students does not find any solution to the practical problems of life. They find themselves unable to cope the societal and national issues.
Non-Existence of Research and Development
Moreover, the culture of research and development is highly non-existent in the educational system of Pakistan. At the University level, there is a culture of plagiarism which renders the fresh graduates mere scoring machines instead of creative students.
Highly Skilled and Mark Teachers Are Very Thin
Another dilemma prevailing is that skilled and up-to-the-mark teachers are very rare in the educational system.
Lack of Budget
Last but not least is the problem of the lack of economic resources. Our educational institutions are not provided with sufficient budget and manpower. Most of the professors are recruited on an ad hoc basis.
Related Resource: Educational Websites in Pakistan
Plugging Out The Loopholes in the System
It is the need of the hour to address this issue as it has capped the climax. Following are the suggestions that should be adopted to generate a more compatible youth:
Technical and Skill-Based Learning
First, technical and skill-based learning should be prioritized. Technical and vocational training centers should also be operated in remote areas. After getting a diploma from these institutions, a chance of employment whether in this country or abroad should be provided.
State-Of-The-Art Facilities To Be Provided
All the institutions should be provided with the state of the art facilities.
A Uniform Modus Operandi For All Tiers Of Education
Further, there is a dire need to implant in place a uniform modus operandi so that students of madrassas may also have an opportunity to progress.
The Educational Sector Needs To Be Preferred
Additionally, the economic and basic resource needs of educational institutions need to be given preference.
The Gender Gap in the Educational Portfolio to be Erased
Most importantly, the ever-widening gender gap in the educational sector needs to be controlled. Pakistan needs to look at the example of Bangladesh which empowered its women through the provision of free education.
Changing Dynamics and Trends in the Educational Sector
The following trends have emerged as new realities in the educational sector of Pakistan:
Best Degree For The Future Of The Pakistani Generation
As far as this question is concerned, e-commerce has emerged as a new potential field to empower you and generate for you a handsome income. With the emergence of a knowledge-based economy, e-commerce has emerged as a new portfolio.
Pakistani government needs to prefer this portfolio for the betterment of Pakistan. An aspirant just needs basic education and an internet facility. The network needs to be expanded to the far-flung areas of Pakistan along with better connectivity.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, we may deduce that education has also changed its dynamics with the entry of a knowledge-based economy in Pakistan. Looking at the dismal picture of education, the government needs to prefer this field to transform this country in a better way. It is only education that can open new avenues in this era of great economic meltdown. As Allan Bloom put it,
“Education is the movement from darkness to light.“