REFORMING PAKISTAN'S HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Over the years, Pakistan's inadequate education system has contributed to the present social,
economical and political problems. Our leaders have failed to improve the sector which forms the
base of any country's resource supply. Different measures taken in the past to improve our
education system have ultimately failed because of their divergent nature.
English-medium modern education system is stressed upon every now and then without
considering the fact that it is within the reach of only a privileged few. Majority students belonging
to middle-class and lower-class families are overlooked in this race of attaining the title of “Englishmedium
educated”.
These problems will continue to exist if adequate measures are not taken to eliminate them. Starting
with the very first reform, a uniform widely acceptable curriculum should be adopted for both the
public and the private sector institutions of the country. Relevant authorities should be directed to
devise a uniform curriculum that encourages skill development and eradicates unhealthy learning
habits.

The syllabus should be revised as well as the examination system. Educationists belonging to both
public and private sector should be called to decide together a common examination system that
can be duly accredited by foreign examination board.
Dual shifts and distant-learning programmes should be encouraged to accommodate the needs of
those children who start working from an early age and whose earning is necessary for their family's
survival.After revolutionizing the curriculum, the next and the most important reform should be the
training of teachers. Proper teacher's training programmes should be undertaken to ensure that the
quality of education being imparted is not compromised. Regular inspection of teachers should be
carried out and recommendations to improve the teaching system should be encouraged.Learning,
alone will not provide any benefit unless it is practically applied as well. Therefore, Vocational
education should be made an integral part of the education system for the proper enhancement of
the skills of students.

The last and one of the most significant reform is to make sure that number of scholarships available
for the needy and academically excelling students is in abundance so that they can be motivated to
continue to work hard and achieve their aim. Many students drop out from higher educational
institutions mainly because they are unable to pay the increasing amount of fees. Therefore,
number of scholarships should be increased so that everyone can easily complete their education
without facing any hurdles.If we decide to adopt these reforms, we can improve the falling literacy
rate of the country which will play a significant role in the development of our country because
investing in our children's education today will provide a better future tomorrow.