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Category: PAKISTAN

Critical Analysis of the Education System in Pakistan
Outlines
- Introduction
- Definition of education
- Goals of education
- Critical analysis of education
  - Private vs Government institutes
  - Lack of uniformity
  - Outdated curriculum
  - Lack of professional/quality/trained teachers
  - Examination system
  - Internal influences
  - External influences
  - Lack of resources
  - A large number of dropouts
  - Implementation of policies
  - Fewer budgets
  - Corruption
  - Conclusion
Introduction

Education plays an important role in the advancement of a nation.

As stated

“When you have got that knowledge by means of education and when you have made yourselves strong economically and industrially, then you have got to prepared yourselves for defense, defense against external aggression and to maintain internal security”
Quaid-e-Azam

(presidential address at the conference of Punjab Muslim federation, 2nd March 1947)

Definition of education

“Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, developing skills, training, learning of moral values, beliefs or habits, etc. Education is important for every age. It is irrespective of caste, creed, or gender. It is necessary for a stable life, self-independence, self-confidence, etc. it brings reforms on the political, social, and economic levels.”

Goals of education

The education system was first decided to form in the national educational conference held in Karachi in 1947. The decision of this conference was that the education system would work according to the national aspirations of Pakistan. The leader of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhamad Ali Jinnah said that the main goal of the education system is to develop the national character of the Pakistani generation. The national character, here, meant a high sense of responsibility, social integrity, and selfless service to the nation and to the country.

At that time many educational committees were formed. But the rules and policy implementation criteria were very poor. Pakistan instead of progressing suffered a lot. Parental participation is very crucial for ensuring quality aspects. Home is the first school of the child. So without parental involvement, there will be less effective implementation of policies that will remain a far cry. In Pakistan, nowadays the education system suffers a lack of budget, lack of implementation of policies, poor physical facilities, political interference, old and outdated curriculum, lack of research, lack of facilities like science labs and computer labs, dropout at a high level.

All these problems can be solved by providing adequate budget and proper policy implementation. Education is directly responsible for people’s development and growth in every sector.

Critical analysis

PVT vs Govt. Sector

The education system is divided into two sectors. PVT and Govt. sector which promotes discrimination among people. The private sector is usually attracted by the elite class who can afford to send their children to expensive schools and don’t compromise on the quality of education. On the other hand, government schools are of low quality due to lack of accountability, inadequate budget, lack of qualified and trained staff is also the main reason for the poor education system. This is the reason people always look for a good education for their children.

Lack of uniformity/poor

The most important problem is also the lack of a single uniform education system. Different education systems are working in society, e.g: Madrassas, private schools, or govt. Schools. These are not working on uniform principles. These institutes have their own curriculum. And also a different environment. So, due to these reasons, the pace of polarization is accelerated in society. And due to this polarization, there is a huge social division in the social, political, or economic ground. The purpose of education is to bring national unity but this polarized system brought differences and gaps among the nation. And the circumstances further leading the division on the linguistic and regional ground which is gradually demolishing cohesion.

Outdated curriculum

The curriculum is a vital component through which goals of education can be achieved. But the curriculum of the education system in Pakistan does not meet the demands of present times. It is an outdated curriculum which only compels the learners to memorization of certain facts and figures. No further improvements are made according to the time and modern world. So this curriculum is unable to achieve the basic need for education. A curriculum should be based on research work, psychological, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education. Without practical work, research work, and adequate scientific knowledge, we cannot compete with the rest of the world. This curriculum only emphasizes memory or theory.

Lack of Professional/Quality/Trained teachers

Teacher’s important role in the education system. Without teachers, an education system cannot work. Professional/trained teachers are essential for quality performances. There are very small opportunities for training. Although there were different teacher training institutes formed now either these institutes are not well-resourced or being poor due to lack of pf funds/administrators. Thus, the consequences of their skills are not well-reformed and unskilled. According to research, teachers do not use new methods or strategies of teaching.

Teachers encourage students to cram for the subjects. They don’t teach students how to work in science labs or how to use the equipment. They do not encourage the use of the libraries, and also do not develop reading habits in students. Teachers just ze the students rely on cramming to pass the examination. Teachers are responsible for all this mess.

Dropouts at a high level

Due to the lack of effective management of the educational institutions, there is a lack of discipline which eventually results in alarming dropouts. The reasons for dropouts from the education system in Pakistan are maybe, the punishments in schools, poor motivating environment, poor infrastructure of schools, and also weak parenting plays a huge role in school dropouts. This trend adds more to illiteracy rates as well.

System of examination

The examination is the process of evaluation of a student’s learnings. An examination should evaluate the students from all aspects of learning but unfortunately, the education system of Pakistan only evaluates on the basis of memorization. There is another factor for a poor examination system which is internal/external force. These forces encourage the trend of illegal or unfair means of exams.

Lack of Resources

There are no sufficient resources in educational institutes of Pakistan. Educational resources like laboratories, libraries, books, etc. Are not available in appropriate amounts. Other than the resources like books, there is also a lack of educational institutes according to the students, ill-equipped labs, and inadequate teachers also responsible for the poor education system.

Policy implementations

Policy implementation is also another reason for the poor education system. After the independence of Pakistan, different policies were formed to be implemented but could not be implemented in true sense. The different causes of poor policy implementation, lack of funds, lack of resources, corruption, political interference, etc.

Low budgets

The main reason for every department to flourish is the proper sufficient financial resources. The successive government of Pakistan, allocating less than 2.5% of the total budget of Pakistan which is insufficient for the education system to fulfill the needs of.

In many developing countries, the budget for the education system has increased but in Pakistan, it is decreasing day by day. According to the research of the International crisis group, Pakistan is amongst those 12 countries that spent less than 2% of their GPT on the education sector. With the insufficient financial condition, it is impossible for the education system to achieve the goals of education in level.

Corruption

Corruption is ruining the education system of Pakistan. There is a weak level of accountability and check/balance in the education system, which encourages many illegal practices in students, teachers, or in examination systems e.g use of authority illegally, unnecessary favors promotions, and decision making. The examination system also experiences illegal external/internal favors for students and also the members of the education system.

Conclusion

The education system develops nations. It is important in all domains of life such as social, spiritual, political, or economic. The reason for the development of countries is having an established education system. But in Pakistan, the education system is not playing a vital role in nation-building due to various factors.
April 26, 2020
Higher Education as an Agent of Change
Outlines
- Introduction
  - Definition of education
  - Role of education
  - Higher education
- History or evolution of human development
- Economic development and higher education
- Social development and higher education
- Technological development and higher education
- industrial growth and higher education
- Political scenario
- Role of higher education in building international relations
- Role of the higher education commission
- Conclusion
Introduction

Human beings are the most blessed creature of the universe. Humans have priority because of sentience on other creatures. Education plays a great role in developing manners, ethics, moral values to move in a society.

As quoted:

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’”
by Nelson Mandela

Role of Education

Education is as necessary as oxygen to survive. It gives knowledge, builds confidence, and opens the doors of opportunities to compete with the world. Education helps people to survive on the individual level, national level, and international level. It overcomes poverty, provides employment, boosts up the economy of a country, decreases crime level, and these types of various factors make a nation super strong.

Higher Education

Higher education is the tertiary type of education also known as post-secondary education. It leads to an academic degree level. Higher education contributes to highly educated, professional and skilled people to the manpower of the nation. Scientists and engineers can develop more technologies to ease human life, highly trained managers can run their organizations more effectively, highly specialized doctors can do more relief to humans, and professional teaching staff can contribute more to the future development of youth rather than non-professional or least educated staff.

Higher education is important in every sector. It is equally significant in social, economical, political, technological reforms.

History or Evolution of Human Development

There was a time million years ago when men used to live in caves, ate leaves of trees, no sense of wisdom, knowledge, how to live, what to eat, etc.

According to science, the human brain developed from 650cc to 1500cc. Then the voice box developed and also various types of cries. Gradually, the pictorial language developed. After the invention of the wheel, printing was the major invention. It made it possible to store knowledge. In the last century, man has invented the radio, the telephone, satellites, and mobile technology, etc. it is only possible due to higher education.

Economical Development and Higher Education

The strong economy is the backbone of the nation and the highly educated and innovative people directly contribute to the economy of the nation. So the people with higher education have better pay structures so they have lesser chances to remain unemployed and to live in poverty. According to research people with higher education tend to earn more than people like school graduates. So if a person is highly qualified then he will automatically value the importance of education and will continue education from generation after generation. This will increase the income of families from decades to decades.

Thus income will Eventually contribute to the economy of the nation thus improving the economy of the country. educated people contribute significantly to tax. Payments and local state and federal government levels.

Social Development and Higher Education

Higher education affects people in the social sector. Social scientists lay stress on higher education in order to equip individuals with more skills and etiquette.

Though it is always not true, social scientists believe that highly educated people are more likely to behave soberly. As he/she will be more cultured. He /she will be more likely to engage in voluntary work, for example, donation of blood, etc.

Highly educated people are more conscious about their health and also take care of their hygiene. So children of highly educated people have higher cognitive skills than children of other people.

Educated people are supposed to be more responsible citizens than uneducated people. They are more aware of the importance of family, education, family planning, etc. They are more aware of drug abuse, smoking, violence against women, or child labor, etc. They are more prone to the disadvantages of these activities than illiterate people. That is why highly skilled and educated people are running schemes for youth promotion, promoting the culture of tolerance, eradicating poverty and working for human resources management. Technological development and higher education

This is an age of technology. Technological development is only possible with skills and education. Examples of the technological revolution are from ringing alarms to ringing phones in our pockets, from stoves to microwaves, etc. These are all the miracles of technology. The significant changes in manufacturing, telecommunication, telecom industry, production, textile, sanitation system, clean water facilities, all are brilliantly done by highly skilled scientists and engineers.

All departments are working online and they store all data on their websites. This is only possible due to computer engineers. All organizations are dependent on the computer for their work. Complex Softwares have been developed. Different apps that are available on the play store are also an example of the technological revolution. Highly skilled professionals can help a lot to boost the productivity of organizations.

Industrial Growth and Higher Education

Industrial growth is directly related to the economical growth of a country. Those countries whose industries are developed are most likely to appear stronger in the economy rather than other countries whose industries are not well-developed.

High skilled laborers are required in industries to fully flourish. High profile technology, improved manufacturing, and production techniques operating heavy machinery, etc are only possible by highly skilled industrial managers. These factors will eventually boost industrial growth.

Political Scenario

Political leaders are those who determine the entire attitude and destiny of the nations. People before the present age of education were experiencing political leaderships like monarchy, dictatorship, etc. Now people living in the age of democracy in which they elect their own representative. This only happens due to awareness. People know their interests better so choose leaders according to their interests. Education spreads awareness in every sense.

On the other side, higher education also develops world-class leaders which represent the nation gracefully.

Role of Higher Education in Building International Relations

This is an era of globalization. A country cannot remain isolated from other countries. So countries have to build international relations with all over the world. Countries improve relations with each other by exchanging student professionals so that they can learn from each other’s practices. These delegates of students are professionals who don’t represent them individually but in fact, Carry a whole nation’s image. So it is very important for them to be highly sophisticated and is only possible due to higher education which teaches them how to behave and how to live.

On the other side, political leaders and foreign ministers also play a huge role in International relations so These political leaders should be highly skilled, qualified and educated.

Role of the Higher Education Commission (HEC)

The Higher Education Commission is working remarkably to improve higher education in Pakistan. It allocates budgets to government universities Which in turn offer scholarships. Scholarships are merit Best and to the needy students Who have an urge to get higher education.

The following are developments by the higher education commission.
- Development of digital library
- Development of computer labs
- Development of multimedia and projectors
- Development of online teaching and learning resources.
Conclusion

Pakistan is in need of higher education reforms.

Pakistan is a developing country so it requires effort to increase job opportunities, business opportunities, opportunities to eradicate poverty and invite investments and FDI, development of industry, development of IT, development of health, medical, engineering.

So Pakistan needs revolutionary reforms in political and technological, social, and industrial sectors; these reforms are only possible due to higher education.
April 25, 2020
Tourism in Pakistan
Tourism is traveling for fun either it is for pleasure, fun or business. Tourism is universally known to travel for fun, sightseeing or camping. People who travel are called tourists and places, where they stay, are called resorts. I travel a lot; I hate my life disrupted by routine. Caskie Stinnett (author of one man’s island)

Outlines
- Types of tourism
- Subtypes of tourism
- Tourism products
- History of tourism in Pakistan
- Sights/areas for the attraction of tourists
- Importance of tourism
- Advantages of tourism
- Disadvantages of tourism
- Strategies to improve tourism
- Conclusion
Types of Tourism

There are three basic types of tourism.
1. Domestic tourism
2. Inbound tourism
3. Outbound tourism
Domestic Tourism

As obvious from the name, when people take holidays, breaks and trips in their own country then this type of tourism is known as domestic tourism. For example, the people of Pakistan visit the northern areas of their own country.

Inbound Tourism

When a foreigner or non-resident of a country visits another particular country then it is known as inbound tourism.

Outbound Tourism

When a resident of a particular country visits countries outside the residential country then it is known as outbound tourism.

Subtypes of Tourism

Recreational tourism

The basic purpose of tourism is recreation. To make out time for family and go on trips. That is why tour packages have become so popular.

Environmental tourism

The affluent and opulent people usually visit those tourist places which are pollution and environment friendly.

Wildlife tourism

It is animal-friendly tourism.it means People watch wildlife animals living in their natural habitats.

Historical tourism

Tourists want to know where and how their forefathers lived. They love to visit heritage locations, temples, churches, museums, forts, mosques, etc.

Ethnic tourism

This refers to people visiting other countries or regions to observe their cultural values. For example folk music, dress culture, etc.

Adventurous tourism

This type of tourism usually belongs to the youth. They go for trekking, climbing, river rafting, etc. Only people with strong nerves can go through.

Sport tourism

This type of tourism is basically for sports purposes.

Tourism Products:
- Accommodation- Hotels, Motels, guests houses, beds, breakfast, camps, etc.
- Hospitality- Food and beverage serving services
- Transport services- rail, road, water, air network services.
- Travel agencies- tour operators and destination management companies.
History of Tourism in Pakistan:

From the 1970s to the 1990s, the tourism industry was a flourishing industry. Countless Europeans, Australians, Canadians used to visit Pakistan due to its beautiful sights and its diverse cultural heritage. PIA was amongst the top 10 airlines in the world.

Tourists and mountaineers used to travel to visit the northern areas of Pakistan. Pakistan earned huge revenue in this phase. In the 1980s Olympics were held in Karachi. Many honorable personalities like Queen Elizabeth, boxer Muhammad Ali visited Pakistan. Cricket matches also took place in that era. Many high profile people visited Pakistan in that era. All of those cannot be nominated here.

Sights/Areas of Attraction for Tourists:

Pakistan has four provinces, all of which have beautiful scenic sights which attract tourists from all over the world.

Gilgit Baltistan:

Gilgit Baltistan is actually home to mountain peaks. The world’s second-most highest peak K-2 is also situated in Pakistan including Nanga Parbat.

Shandur, the world’s largest polo ground is also situated in GB.

Attabad lake was also formed in 2010 after the landslide.

Punjab

The city of Multan is in the province of Punjab. It is an interesting mixture of ancient Sufism and dynastic rule. It reportedly starting with Hindu occupation then witnessing Greek invasion and after then finally witnessing a long era of Muslim Sufism. That is why it is known as the city of saints.

Sindh:

Tharparkar desert is included in Sindh. It consists of jumbles of towns and villages. In monsoon, the desert is transformed into an oasis and visitors flock there.

KPK

Pakistan is diverse in ethnicity. Kalash valley is an example of a beautiful culture. It is in the province of KPK.

Advantages of Tourism
- The tourism industry helps to boost up the economy.
- It brings opportunities to beat unemployment.
- Traveling freshers the mind of people.
- It is a source of employment for tourist guides, restaurants and local people in that area.
- It gives the opportunity to meet new people.
- Different cultural patterns can be seen.
- A well-developed infrastructure and facilities for tourist attraction sights, also play a great role in growing tourism
- It promotes cultural awareness.
Disadvantages of Tourism
- It may create cultural variations.
- It causes seasonal fluctuations.
- Imbalanced funding is also the reason for tourism.
- Tourism puts stress on local land which further causes soil erosion.
- It can increase the population.
- It can result in natural habitat loss.
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These following factors can disrupt nature which is the key source of tourism.
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Strategies to Improve Tourism

Security and Safety:

From the past few decades, Pakistan is facing the terror war that has eventually had negative impacts on tourism. The tourism sector is neglected by successive governments. So Pakistan should improve security conditions in order to improve tourism.

Improving Infrastructure

The government should pay attention to improve the infrastructure of tourist attractions that are providing more facilities, constructing routes, etc.

Emergency Evacuations

Emergency evacuation plans should be formed. If in case of any emergency, for example, fire, storms, flooding that tourist attraction, tourists should know about the emergency exits.

Easy Booking of Hotels

Online websites and apps should be made so that people from all over the world could easily access all the information regarding booking.

Some more strategies are:
- Baggage handling should be ensured by the tour operator agencies.
- Our Airports suffer various drawbacks which should be improved.
- Personnel training should be provided from airport staff to the staff of resorts for the purpose of better hospitality.
Conclusion

The tourism sector is the only sector that needs more and more exploration so the government should take steps for exploring new tourist attractions. Pakistan is blessed with natural beauty including historical heritage which if exploited properly can boost up the economy of Pakistan. It has improved after the mission Zarb-e-azb but more attention is needed.
April 8, 2020