Skip to main content

Lost To Education - Opinion

 LOST TO EDUCATION

Among other things, the ongoing floods have dealt a deadly blow to the educational prospects of millions of children across the country. According to an estimate provided by the Sindh education minister, around 2m children in the province could drop out of school on account of the widespread damage to the education infrastructure in the 16 most affected districts. With the addition of these 2m out-of-school children, the total number of such children in the province will rise to more than 8m — a massive increase. In this regard, the provincial education minister’s announcement that an ‘education emergency’ has been imposed in the province and that the authorities plan to set up tent schools so that children can keep up is a welcome move as the measures, if honestly implemented, could help curtail educational losses.




However, given the PPP-ruled Sindh government’s past performance in the education sector, it is difficult not to be skeptical. 

Problems under PPP Rule in Sindh

1. Accusations of corruption in teachers’ appointments.

2. The existence of ghost schools, poor resource management. 

 3. The recent closure of scores of schools for being ‘unfeasible’. 

Education indicators in the province have shown little improvement over the decades. Moreover, research also shows that even the pouring of more and more funds each year by the provincial government into the sector has had little impact in terms of improving students’ enrolment or learning outcomes. Estimates suggest that more than 44pc of the child population (the five- to 16-year category) in Sindh remain out of the education framework. That it took the authorities a massive natural calamity to declare an education emergency smacks of politics, considering that for decades, experts and rights organizations had been raising the alarm over the poor standard of education and asking the provincial government to take corrective steps. Even so, the 

Way-Forward Points

  • Authorities now have a chance to redeem themselves by keeping their promise 
  • Helping millions of affected children — whose education had already suffered on account of the Covid-19 pandemic — go back to school.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2022

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

US President & British Prime Ministers; A Comparison | For CSS, PMS, UPSC and Other Competitive Exams

US President British Prime Minister TENURE The U.S. President is elected for 4 years. British Prime Minister is elected for 5 years. DEPENDENCY The American President’s term of office is secured constitutionally: He cannot be removed before the expiry of a period of 4 years unless impeached earlier by the Congress, but it is a very difficult and impracticable procedure. The British Prime Minister, on the-other hand, depends for his term of office upon House of Commons. He continues in office as long as he enjoys the support of the majority party in the House. He must vacate his office, as soon as the confidence reposed in him by the majority is withdrawn. MODE OF ELECTION The American President is directly elected by the people. The British Prime Minister is appointed by the Monarch from the majority party in the House ...
Read more

Critical Analysis on Aristotle's Classification of Government | For CSS, PMS, UPSC and Other Competitive Exams

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ARISTOTLE’S CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT   (1) Aristotle’s classification is unscientific and quantitative: It is argued that his classification is not based on any scientific principle as it lays emphasis on quantitative rather than qualitative aspect. But this criticism does not hold good Aristotle, being a disciple of Plato, could not ignore its spiritual aspect. He has emphasized the aim f the state along with his classification. Burgess has rightly said that Aristotle’s classification is spiritual rather than numerical. (2) Aristotle does not distinguish between State and Government: Criticizing Aristotle’s classification, Dr. Garner has said, “Aristotle does not distinguish between state and government, with the result that his classification is the classification of states, while it ought to be of governments. This criticism of Aristotle is not justified because the distinction between the state and the government is a modem concept”. Accordi...
Read more

Mithaq-e-Medina / Medina Accord: First Written Constitution of World / A Social Contract

 Introduction The Constitution of Medina (Dustur al-Madinah), also known as the Charter of Medina (Mithaq al-Madinah "Madina Accord") is a seminal social and political document of Islam. Mithaq-e-Meina refers to two agreements concluded between the clans of Madina and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) soon after his migration to Medina in 622.. The agreement that Mae Quraysh of Makkah with Ansar of Medina into Muslim Brotherhood is called Mawakhat. The brotherhood created strong bond among the Makkan and Medinan Muslims paving way for their commanding negotiation with different Jewish tribes living in Medina. The second agreement regulated the relations of the Muslims with the Jews of Medina. The constitution also established Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the chieftain of mediating authority between groups and forbids the waging of war without his authorization. The constitution formed the basis of a multi-religious Islamic state in Medina. The Medina Charter, arguably the first chart...
Read more