Daily Times

The role of higher education,
especially research universities is important in terms of taking a lead to offer evidence based intervention through cross cutting research and innovation. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been successful in creating awareness about the role of higher education in the overall development of the country. However, the universities need another few decades of support and collaboration to help the country out of its economic, political and social crises. The last decade was significant in higher education development in Pakistan. The Higher Education Task Force recommendations for setting up of the HEC in place of the UGC with increased role and funding in 2002 has been positive in terms of: access to Higher Education to five percent from 2.5 percent of population; growth in universities and degree awarding institutions, especially in the rise of private sector universities; focus on science and technology; faculty development (PhDs); research collaborations and publications; professional development; external links and internationalisation; commercialisation of research; physical infrastructure; provision of academic resources in IT and digitalised libraries.

The private sector has made a significant contribution to education in Pakistan. Research (LEAPS) informs that private sector is playing a significant role in contributing to primary schooling in rural areas in Punjab; 20 percent of schooling is private, fee is low, and success rates are higher. In fact, rise of private schooling at all levels is significant almost half of all universities are in private sector. In Punjab, there are 18 HEC-recognised public sector universities and 22 private sector universities. Private sector is providing good models of practice. In fact, private sector is collaborating with government in human resource development and internship programmes. Many private sector institutions especially universities are not for profit. In fact, a number of them are offering a substantial number of scholarships to needy and meritorious students.

The constitution of Pakistan says, “The state of Pakistan shall remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary education.” A concerted effort is required to address challenges faced by the education sector. Policy makers along with all other stakeholders have to come up with innovative strategies to collaborate for an effective impact on the education sector. Pakistan needs to demonstrate that education must be given top priority by allocating a minimum of four percent of its GDP to education. Currently, the low financial allocation of two percent or less is a grave threat to the development of education in Pakistan. In fact, education and health go hand in hand when poverty levels are increasing and it is extremely important that each primary school student must be provided with one meal a day as is done in Sri Lanka. This will not only lead to healthy youth but also fewer dropouts.

Research shows that one of the factors that make a difference and leads towards improvement of education is involvement by parents and teachers. Moreover, good school practices such as discipline, order, cleanliness are influences encouraging more enrollment and fewer dropouts. Quality teacher training, innovative pedagogical approaches and learning experiences; a well-designed and developmentally appropriate curriculum, reader- friendly textbooks and well supervised evaluation programmes for teachers and students alike; as well as use of technology in education are some factors that are expected to usher a positive change. Non-traditional approaches to education such as flexibility for learners in terms of school timings and modular programmes will lead to incremental growth of our youth who are involved in apprenticeship and child labour to pursue education.

Efforts must be made at all levels to provide a functional physical infrastructure, as well as healthy activities for our youth during their schooling such as youth networks, leadership programmes, and community projects such as British Council Active Citizenship programme to help students invest their energies in constructive activities and raise their self-esteem and confidence. Extra-curricular activities and sports are also important in the holistic development of our youth.

Research informs us that 23 percent of our youth want to start their own business, but consider strict laws, corruption, and lack of funds as major constraints. These would-be entrepreneurs need skills training through curricular reforms geared towards providing youth for innovation and entrepreneurship. Experts agree that our youth can contribute significantly to socio-economic development of Pakistan through quality education and skills training. The National Internship Programme is a good step in this regard.

Gender parity in education and society is critical for empowering females to engage in employment and contribute to family and socio-economic development of Pakistan. Currently, the female population of Pakistan comprises 50 percent, but has been left behind in accessing education as well as gainful employment. Recent initiatives to empower women both at federal and provincial level are laudable; however, a concerted effort has to be made to impact societal attitudes and provide access to needy but meritorious female students through scholarships and stipends. Moreover, career counseling and job placement centres must be set up in high secondary school and universities.

An area that needs a great deal of attention is language planning in education. Currently, the inclusion of local languages for primary schooling has been neglected, especially in academic texts. Also, the need for efficient learning and teaching cannot be underscored for international education and employment.

The current controversy regarding the HEC must be resolved so that higher education can move forward full steam. It is equally important that as per the 18th Amendment regarding the devolution of powers to the provinces, the academic, administrative and financial autonomy of the public sector universities must be upheld. Otherwise, these universities will become a victim to red-tape bureaucracy and corruption.

For success in education, we must focus on innovative partnerships between government and private sector, especially NGOs that can assist our poor students in becoming active citizens and be involved with addressing the problems of their community through participation. By shifting responsibility from government as the sole provider to sharing responsibilities, and taking on initiatives based on community development projects, and mobilising local resources will impact our learning outcomes.

(Concluded)

The writer is the Vice Chancellor of the Lahore College for Women University