When talking of the governmental claims and policies, seems that Pakistan is really working to flourish its education sector but I believe that the picture of educational conditions is grim as Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world.
By 2005 according to the statistics provided by the government the literacy rate of the country was 54% approximately. Whereas the unofficial statistics differ and the rate is less than about 50% and the government still claims to increase it to 60%. From 1976 to the date the number of primary schools doubled, but so did the population. High levels of population growth continue to hamper educational development in the country. The government launched a nationwide initiative in 1998 with the aim of eradicating illiteracy and providing a basic education to all children but we can see the actual scenario.
The picture of educational conditions in Pakistan is depressing. Although successive governments have announced various programs to promote literacy, especially among women, they have been unable to translate their words into action because of various political, social and cultural obstacles. Independent sources and educational experts, however, place the overall literacy rate at 26 per cent and the rate for girls and women at 12 per cent, contending that the higher figures include people who can handle little more than a signature. The situation is especially alarming in rural areas due to social and cultural obstacles. One of the most deplorable aspects is that in some places, particularly northern tribal areas, the education of girls is strictly prohibited on religious grounds. This is a gross misinterpretation of Islam, which like all religions urges men and women to acquire education. Even though there is a lack of concern on the part of government to promote education, some religious groups, political parties and NGOs are working actively to do so, despite all barriers. The media have played an effective role in convincing people to send their children to schools, the situation remains dramatic in the villages and small towns where almost 70 per cent of the country's population resides.
Let’s now discuss about the role of our governments towards the education system. According to the constitution, it is the state’s responsibility to provide free primary education. Five years has been established as the period of primary school attendance, but attendance is not compulsory. There are 122, 349 primary schools in Pakistan, of which merely 30, 078 cater to girls. Of these, approximately 13,000 are in Punjab Province. These are the statistics provided by the government of Pakistan. I wish to refer only to Punjab where some positive efforts are being initiated by Punjab Education Foundation and according to them they are providing funds to private schools in rural and urban areas which were charging fee amount up to Rs.300 and now foundation is providing that fund per head.
A school of our rural area (Punjab province)
The Punjab Education Foundation was established under the Punjab Education Foundation Act of 1991 as an autonomous statutory body to encourage and promote education in the private sector operating on non-commercial/ non-profit basis. The Punjab Education Foundation has been restructured under the Punjab Education Foundation Act-XII of 2004 for the promotion of education, specially encouraging and supporting the efforts of the private sector in providing education to the poor, through public private partnership. Now when we talk of partnership as being claimed by the officials the question arises of “does it actually exists?” or it’s a relationship of an employer and employee. Partnership works on equality which in real situation we cannot see as PEF is engaging its efforts more into a “boss” role. Restricting my discussion only to one district of province of Punjab where private institutions are being funded by PEF. They say that to help the poor they contributed their effort and still working on it but are they actually working for the poor? The question remains unanswered. They provided the funds on the basis of quality education and assured the owners their “partnership” but the institutions were working before their initiative so is it their effort? Do they think that providing Rs. 300 per child they are fulfilling their obligation?
The expenses of running a school in any remote area are not so less, it includes cost of building and even the books and most important the cost of employees that are teachers so our PEF is aware of all these expenses? Surely they must be aware of that’s why after signing a contract they visit so often just to see is the building is being constructed, children are provided with quality education, teachers are paid well and the list goes on.... Our officials need to think about their strategies before implementing because implementation phase of attractive paper work is difficult and different. Let’s hope that initiative of PEF is continued further and such schemes are offered all over the country. PEF has enhanced its role and should also consider all the related matters in detail and should pay attention that private school owners’ rights are not violated and manipulated.
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