Daily Times

Educational system is the spine of any developed country because from this system, grass root level to people in command total human resource is developed and reforms are selected for the betterment of future. Education system in Pakistan is quite dubious when analyzed strategically because different perplexed minds are generated by this system in ways which are destructive in long term. And these perplexed minds are elite, extremists and survivors. Mostly elite minds developing from education system have no idea about the situation of country matters because of intoxicated syllabus patterns which only focus on earnings and success rather than personality grooming and ethics. They only know about the facilities and lavish life style surrounding them and have no idea what’s happening with other formed classes. Next kind of mind generated by our education system is extremist one which is only destructive and wants changes at national level but have no idea what needs to be changed. Third kind of mind is survivor one, this kind of mind only know about the survival of surrounding persons and wants to make sure how he can survive in future. All kind of minds generated are full of frustration when interacted and collaborated only focus how to stay safe from the upcoming events in the system rather than planning for the better future.

Main thing which needs to be focused is level of difference generated in thinking level which can result in disaster and we can see the change in youth because they are having so many disturbance due to exposure of social media at early stages of learning, we cannot even be successful to gather them on same page of opinion. That’s all because of criminal negligence by our government. We need reforms because we do not have much leniency left from time and youth need changes in long terms for future generations. This ticking time bomb of extreme difference of minds can cause hoax at any time in future and can result in chaos situation too due to extreme difference in opinions.

In history we can see how education and personality grooming was available to elites, rich people and emperors only

Minds are manipulated at different levels through education by our self driven educational system but the question raised is why? And what are going to be the results in long terms. Main thing which we focus is achieving degree for getting a better job but question is where is personality grooming at all levels of education in Pakistan? At all the levels of study grooming and syllabus in education level we can see how much difference is between Madaris system, missionary schools, Private schools and government schools. How much grooming is neglected at basic levels in our education system? Why grooming is required? For being one nation we have to focus on how developed countries focused on their education reforms in history. How they focused on ethics and grooming levels. There are many examples which are ignored but why our leaders in command are just acting like puppets not focusing on this issue. Politics aside they have to focus on the future and act for the reforms in the education system.

Because in history we can see how education and personality grooming was available to elites, rich people and emperors only but here in current scenario of our country we can still see how best education facilities and personality grooming is available to only elites. If from any other class other than elite, if one try to educate their children they have to spend a lot of money on their education which is quite difficult if analyzed because of scarce resources and expensive schools. Our syllabus not settled by any authority on different levels of education is also showing nefarious impacts on society due to the diversification being implemented through different channels resulting in perplexed minds. We can see how much diversification in mental levels is the result of this education system.

I was once invited by my friend to Madrassa where I was interacted with many students there and many questions raised in my mind, which are: Why Madaris is counted as system not under government and only religious education facility is focused and historical facts that Madrassa system is responsible for many Muslim scientists but ignored in today’s world by our country? Why the students are not having the complete syllabus pattern according to international standards? Why facilities of access to education material is not available and IT is a word unknown to students of Madrassa? Why Madrassa students and faculty have to wait for donations in presence of ministry of education and its efforts for the betterment of education?

And I visited friends at Missionary school where I was having many questions in mind and these are: Why government not supporting missionary schools directly or indirectly because they are also trying to educate the poor class from minorities. Why missionary schools have to wait for donations for the education of students in presence of government efforts for establishing a better education structure for minorities? Why students of missionary school system extremely liberal, not acknowledged about cultural values pushed away from reality of our region? Students from this system have been under the coaching of teachers with perspective to improve ethical standards and they responded to ethical values as the roots of development but why regional diversity and changes are ignored and biasness exists? Why missionary school systems have no controlling body by government because they are under Church they needs better communication with the ministry of education for better results. They are responsible for many bright students in history but many questions raise here: why the syllabus pattern implemented there is not suggested by Ministry of education? They only consider English as core language of communication considering it full of ethics ignoring norms of regional diversity and cultural aspects, ignoring Punjabi and regional languages. I have friends who studied in European countries but still they knew the cultural values they respect languages diversification, color, caste or creed but why missionary schools are not doing any efforts for the betterment of children and their future because one day they are going to get exposure to our diversified society so where are the initiatives?

In one more case I visited private school systems where I interacted with students from all classes from upper to lower level but with a heavy heart I was shocked to see the sub standard education and low grooming levels implemented there. Because there was completely confusion in the minds of students that education is the door to earn money, having no idea about ethics, personality grooming and reformation are the results of education. They were having the same perception about different classes as they are of having about their own, because students were mostly from middle class so they were having no idea about the problematic view formed in society. So students were using mostly English as a mood for communication but due to sub standard teaching guidelines even in presence of best syllabus students were unable to interact or communicate in English, because their teacher were having low qualification and pay settled. And with low self esteem and having no interest in grooming students, neither developing their personality or their mood of communication and self confidence level they are just earning their bread and butter.

I visited government schools I personally interacted and examined students and their available facilities. The facilities were not present, educational support IT etc not even existing and education material was good for nothing but I was probably more shocked to see students were having at least the desire to do something to stand for country and be something in future. Whereas opposite to this I was shocked to see they were not prepared for any competition exams even at lower primary level but the worst thing teachers were also having low qualification and the same sub standardized training for teaching the students.

Now we are having new elected government which is having slogan of ‘Naya Pakistan’ I hope that reforms at education levels are going to be implemented for the betterment of future generations and perplexed minds problem is going to get blurred with time.

The writer is a practicing lawyer

Published in Daily Times, October 18^th 2018.