SUMMARY of the “Education crisis,” Editorial, January 26th, 2024*:
The editorial sheds light on the education crisis in Pakistan, emphasizing figures from the recently released Pakistan Education Statistics 2021-22 report. The report, compiled by the government’s Pakistan Institute of Education, underscores alarming deficiencies in enrolment and educational infrastructure. Notably, over 26 million children are out of school, constituting 39% of the country’s minors. While an improvement from previous years, this percentage remains unacceptably high, jeopardizing the future of a significant portion of Pakistan’s youth. The editorial points out issues in educational infrastructure, such as a lack of electricity in 85% of Balochistan’s schools, inadequate toilets, and a concerning teacher-student ratio of 1:39 in primary schools. The article calls for concrete plans, supported by research, from political parties vying for leadership in Pakistan to address this crisis and transform the education system. It emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to equip children for the global economy, emphasizing knowledge over outdated teachings or ideology.
Easy/Short SUMMARY:
The editorial discusses Pakistan’s education crisis, drawing attention to the Pakistan Education Statistics 2021-22 report. With over 26 million children out of school, constituting 39% of minors, there’s an urgent need for substantial improvements. The editorial highlights deficiencies in educational infrastructure, including the lack of electricity in 85% of Balochistan’s schools, insufficient toilets, and a high teacher-student ratio in primary schools. It calls on political parties to present well-researched plans to address these issues and transform the education system, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in the global economy.
SOLUTIONS of The Problem:
Invest in Educational Infrastructure
Allocate funds for improving school infrastructure, ensuring access to electricity, adequate toilets, and a conducive learning environment.
Address Out-of-School Children
Implement targeted programs to bring out-of-school children into the education system, addressing barriers to enrolment.
Reduce Teacher-Student Ratio
Devise strategies to lower the teacher-student ratio, especially in primary schools, recognizing the benefits of smaller class sizes.
Promote Innovative Teaching Methods
Integrate innovative teaching methods, including technology, to make learning more engaging and effective.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Launch public awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of education, encouraging parents to prioritize their children’s schooling.
Curriculum Enhancement
Regularly update and enhance the curriculum to ensure it aligns with global standards and equips students with relevant skills.
Training and Professional Development for Teachers
Invest in the training and professional development of teachers to enhance their effectiveness in the classroom.
Collaborate with NGOs and International Organizations
Forge partnerships with non-governmental organizations and international bodies to leverage additional resources and expertise.
Community Involvement
Encourage community involvement in education, fostering a sense of responsibility and support for local schools.
Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
Establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track the progress of educational initiatives and identify areas for improvement.
IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article:
- Pakistan Education Statistics 2021-22 report reveals that over 26 million children in Pakistan are out of school, constituting 39% of minors.
- In 2016-17, 44% of minors were not in school, showing a slight improvement in recent years.
- Only 15% of schools in Balochistan have electricity.
- Lack of toilets is a prevalent issue in many schools.
- The teacher-student ratio in primary schools is 1:39.
- President Arif Alvi emphasized the need for “out-of-the-box” solutions to address the education crisis during a World Education Day event.
MCQs from the Article:
1. What percentage of children in Pakistan is currently out of school, according to the article?
A. 25%
B. 39%
C. 50%
D. 60%
2. Which province has only 15% of its schools equipped with electricity, as mentioned in the article?
A. Punjab
B. Sindh
C. Balochistan
D. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
3. What is the primary concern regarding educational infrastructure in Balochistan, according to the article?
A. Lack of teachers
B. Absence of electricity
C. Insufficient classrooms
D. Outdated curriculum
4. What is the teacher-student ratio mentioned in the article for primary schools?
A. 1:20
B. 1:39
C. 1:50
D. 1:60
5. What did President Arif Alvi emphasize during a World Education Day event, according to the article?
A. Traditional teaching methods
B. Need for “out-of-the-box” solutions
C. Increased government funding
D. Global economic challenges
VOCABULARY:
- Deficiencies (noun) (نقائص): Inadequacies or imperfections, especially in terms of quality or quantity.
- Jeopardizing (verb) (خطرے میں ڈالنا): Putting something or someone in danger or at risk of harm.
- Conducive (adjective) (مددگار): Making a situation or outcome likely or possible.
- Well-researched (adjective) (مکمل تحقیق کے ساتھ): Supported by thorough and comprehensive research.
- Forge (verb) (بنانا یا مضبوط کرنا): Establish or develop something, typically a relationship or connection.
- Robust (adjective) (مضبوط): Strong, sturdy, or effective in operation; vigorous.
- Leverage (verb) (استفادہ اٹھانا): Use something to maximum advantage.
- Conducive (adjective) (مددگار): Making a situation or outcome likely or possible.
- Out-of-the-box (adjective) (غیر معمولی): Unconventional, innovative, or creative.
- Forge (verb) (مضبوط): Establish or develop something, typically a relationship or connection.
- Leverage (verb) (استفادہ اٹھانا): Use something to maximum advantage.
- Conducive (adjective) (مددگار): Making a situation or outcome likely or possible.
- Outdated (adjective) (پرانا): No longer in use or valid; old-fashioned.
- Well-researched (adjective) (مکمل تحقیق کے ساتھ): Supported by thorough and comprehensive research.
- Forge (verb) (بنانا یا مضبوط کرنا): Establish or develop something, typically a relationship or connection.
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Education crisis
Editorial
WHILE private organisations have for long been raising the alarm over the national ‘education emergency’, the state’s own figures, too, paint a grim picture. The recently released Pakistan Education Statistics 2021-22 report, compiled by the Pakistan Institute of Education, a government body, highlights considerable deficiencies where enrolment and educational infrastructure are concerned. The new administrations that take charge after next month’s elections at the centre and in the provinces would do well to consult this report in order to improve educational outcomes. The most disturbing finding pertains to out-of-school children; the report says that over 26m youngsters fall within this category. As a percentage, this comes to 39pc of the children in the country. While this may be an improvement over past years — for example in 2016-17, 44pc of minors were not in school — the percentage of children not going to school remains unacceptably high. To put things in perspective, nearly 40pc of children in Pakistan today have no chance of acquiring a basic education, which translates to a life of exploitation and poverty as adults.
The status of the educational infrastructure is no less distressing. In an age where young minds — in states more concerned about their next generation —are being introduced to AI and robotics, only 15pc of schools in Balochistan have electricity. Lack of toilets is another problem in many schools. Meanwhile, the report says the teacher-student ratio in primary schools is 1:39. Experts are of the view that smaller class sizes, especially at the primary level, deliver far better results. The question is: which of the parties vying to rule Pakistan have a vision and a plan to change this dismal scenario? And here, we do not mean rhetoric, but solid plans backed by research. The answer would be disconcerting. Perhaps aware of the crisis, President Arif Alvi reiterated the need for “out-of-the-box” solutions while addressing a World Education Day event on Wednesday. It is clear that Pakistan will never be able to change course unless it succeeds in educating all its children, and that too with the tools needed to compete in the global economy — not simply regurgitating ideology or outdated lessons. The mainstream parties must vow to address Pakistan’s educational deficiencies, and start the transformative process that can make us a member of the league of nations that values knowledge.
Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2024
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