This is an interesting yet significant subject that I am writing about, which supports the Higher Education Commission (HEC)’s efforts to improve the standards of higher education in Pakistan. Let me quote a paragraph from the HEC Website about the quality-related institutions so that people understand the context in which I am writing this short article. The idea is to ensure that a graduate from a Pakistani Educational institution is regarded with respect wherever they go to serve. This article reflects my philosophy of “Learning Never Ends and Teaching is a Responsibility.”
“Quality Assurance in education plays a pivotal role in ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality education and fostering continuous improvement in academic institutions. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) is committed to elevating the standard of education by implementing a comprehensive strategy across various areas. The QAA recognises that Quality Enhancement Cells are fundamental in promoting a culture of quality assurance and continuous improvement in educational institutions. QAA’s initiative involves the establishment of QECs in all degree-awarding institutions and their Affiliated Colleges (QECACs). These cells serve as central units responsible for monitoring and enhancing the quality of education by developing and implementing quality assurance policies, procedures, and practices. By instating QECs, institutions are better equipped to identify areas for improvement and implement measures to enhance the overall learning experience.”
Trust me, today’s children have the potential to prove a game-changer for Pakistan, provided they are given the opportunity.
With the above guidelines and objectives set by HEC, let’s examine the concept of Quality Assurance. The idea was initially introduced in the early 20th Century in the manufacturing sector to ensure quality production. Over time, it evolved and expanded into the service sector as well. Unfortunately, education also became an industry focused on making money instead of creating a better society, so QA entered the education system as well.
Fair enough. One cannot run educational institutions without adequate funds, and perhaps the governments cannot afford to provide higher education for free. Yet, HEC in Pakistan has made significant contributions in this regard.
Back to the title and the first paragraph from the HEC Website. I am looking for those who devised or advised the HEC to establish QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) and the QEC (Quality Enhancement Cell). Just imagine if you establish an agency and a cell, they would act as an agency and a cell.
This is where, in my opinion, HEC has faltered. Today, QECs in all institutions where they are established act like an intelligence unit and strive to put people in the cell, because this is how their name represents them.
While the purpose and objective may be just and noble, they should not be referred to as the Agency or a Cell. If QEC must remain an acronym, it may be replaced with QEC2. This denotes the “Quality Qualifications, Enabling Environment, and Commitment and Contributions.”
Let me explain-Quality Qualifications for both teachers and students alike. Provide an Enabling Environment for both the teacher and the student. That will ultimately ensure that both the teacher and the students are Committed to making their Contributions to society.
I maintain that if today’s students do not do better than their teachers, Pakistani society will not grow. Generation Z and Alpha must be better than previous generations to compete with the outside world.
Please don’t take me wrong. Rename QEC and task them to make an effort towards improving the qualifications of the teachers so that they can provide quality teaching to their students. Providing an enabling environment means that teachers learn how to accommodate students’ views and consider their ideas. Trust me, today’s children have the potential to prove a game-changer for Pakistan, provided they are given the opportunity. QEC must not act as an agency or a cell, but as a Directorate, which will help teachers make greater contributions to students’ learning and grooming.
To improve teachers’ qualifications, HEC must encourage them to read and write. Currently, HEC discourages teachers from authoring books and instead encourages them to write Journal articles with multiple authors. This is highly discouraging to authors who write books, both domestic and international, because HEC is not giving any credit to authors and respective QECs reject their international books, stating that HEC does not permit granting book equivalence. At the same time, HEC invites authors to present their books for awards, which is not understandable.
This short article may not have answers to all my suggestions, but I sincerely volunteer myself to brief HEC or act as their nominee to conduct workshops on the revamped QEC2. I am confident that this will significantly enhance the efficiency of the QA System that HEC sincerely wants to establish.
The writer of this article has authored four international books: Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan, South Asia Needs Hybrid Peace, Understanding Sun Tzu and the Art of Hybrid War, and Diplomacy and Deterrence.”