The United States, long revered as a paragon of higher education, has faced its share of tumultuous enrollment scandals that reveal the cracks within even the most celebrated systems. These scandals, encompassing everything from financial malpractices in for-profit colleges to falsified public school enrollment data, carry valuable insights. For Pakistan, a nation grappling with its own education challenges, the lessons from these events could be transformative if studied and adapted with care. Imagine, for a moment, the for-profit college sector in the US, a landscape once bustling with promise but tarnished by egregious exploitation. Institutions like Corinthian Colleges, ITT Tech, and The University of Phoenix painted enticing pictures of career opportunities and academic excellence. Yet, behind the curtain, they engaged in practices that left many students burdened with debt and degrees that carried little value in the real world. These schools manipulated enrollment figures, falsified job placement rates, and siphoned federal funds, prioritizing profit over education. It’s a stark reminder of how unchecked ambitions can exploit the vulnerable, especially low-income students who placed their hopes and futures in these institutions. Looking to Pakistan, where the private education sector is burgeoning, the parallels are hard to ignore. Without robust oversight, the risks become glaringly apparent. Allegations of exorbitant fees, substandard curricula, and over-promised job prospects already plague some private colleges and universities. Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission must step into this growing gap. By enforcing stringent accreditation processes, auditing financial operations, and ensuring transparency in employment claims, the nation can sidestep the pitfalls that ensnared the US system. The vulnerabilities in public education present another cautionary tale. In the US, scandals involving the manipulation of public school enrollment figures further exposed systemic weaknesses. Consider the example of Detroit Public Schools, accused of inflating student numbers to secure additional funding. Resources meant for genuine educational needs were diverted due to falsified data, exacerbating inequities within the system. It’s a familiar tune for Pakistan, where “ghost schools” and “ghost teachers” have long haunted the public education sector. These phantom institutions, existing only on paper, siphon off precious funds while offering nothing to the students they purport to serve. To combat such issues, Pakistan must embrace innovation and accountability. A centralized, technology-driven system to monitor enrollment and resource allocation could be the linchpin for change. Regular audits, coupled with community involvement in tracking the effectiveness of schools, can ensure that funds flow where they’re needed most. Imagine a world where every rupee invested in education yields measurable results, where mismanagement is the exception rather than the rule. But financial mismanagement is not the only thread that ties these two systems together. At the heart of both lies the need for stronger regulatory oversight. In the US, lax regulations allowed for-profit colleges to thrive unchecked, while in Pakistan, many private institutions operate without proper accreditation or accountability. The solution lies in proactive governance. Pakistan’s education bodies, both at the federal and provincial levels, must take the lead by implementing mandatory periodic reviews and penalties for non-compliance. Real-time data tracking of enrollment and outcomes could provide invaluable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the system, creating a culture of continuous improvement. The human cost of these systemic failures is perhaps the most heart-wrenching. In both nations, underserved and marginalized communities bear the brunt of the shortcomings. Whether it’s low-income students in the US saddled with debt or Pakistani children denied quality education, the stories are achingly similar. These individuals, seeking a better life through education, often find themselves ensnared in cycles of disadvantage. Addressing this requires more than just policy changes; it calls for a fundamental shift in priorities. Expanding access to public education, increasing scholarships for disadvantaged groups, and educating communities about their rights can pave the way for a more equitable future. While the scandals expose vulnerabilities, they also illuminate paths forward. One such lesson lies in the US’s response to its enrollment crises. Centralized databases have been introduced to monitor student data and funding, ensuring a more transparent and accountable system. Pakistan can adopt a similar approach by developing a National Education Management Information System. Imagine a platform that integrates data from public and private institutions, linking financial resources to verified enrollment figures and academic performance. Such a system could revolutionize education management, ensuring that funds are directed where they make the most impact. Public-private partnerships offer another glimmer of hope. In the US, collaborations between public schools and private organizations have addressed funding shortfalls and infrastructure gaps. Pakistan, too, has seen success with initiatives like The Citizens Foundation and Zindagi Trust, which have transformed schools and communities. Scaling such partnerships could unlock new opportunities, blending the efficiency of private enterprise with the accessibility of public education. These lessons remind us that the pursuit of education reform is both a challenge and an opportunity. The stories of missteps and recoveries in the US underscore the importance of vigilance, innovation, and compassion in shaping a system that serves its students. For Pakistan, the road ahead is steep but navigable. By learning from the successes and failures of others, we can chart a course that avoids the traps of exploitation and inefficiency. It’s a humbling realization that no system, no matter how advanced, is immune to flaws. But it’s also a hopeful one, for within those flaws lie the seeds of progress. As Pakistan stands at the crossroads of its educational journey, the lessons from these scandals serve as a compass, guiding the way toward a future where education is not just a promise but a reality for all. Ghost schools” and “ghost teachers” have long haunted the public education sector in Pakistan. The writer, a chartered accountant and certified business analyst, is serving as a CEO for Model Bazaars