Editorial
In many developing countries, governments have historically prioritized large-scale infrastructure projects over initiatives that address basic public needs. This trend is particularly evident in Pakistan, where billions have been spent on capital-intensive projects, while critical issues like education have been neglected. The results are telling: despite significant investments, Pakistan continues to face alarming poverty levels, poor literacy rates, and widespread malnutrition. Over 900 million people live in poverty, and access to basic needs such as clean drinking water remains limited for the majority of the population.
The education sector in Pakistan remains particularly concerning. As of recent reports, more than 22 million children are out of school, making the country home to the second-highest number of out-of-school children globally. The provincial education systems have failed to effectively address this issue, with Punjab, the most populous province, alone accounting for over 10 million children not enrolled in schools.
While the Punjab government has made some strides by enrolling 1.1 million out-of-school children, this figure is still a fraction of the total need. Further complicating the issue is the contradictory nature of claims made by the government about the actual number of out-of-school children, with figures showing a 40% rise in recent years. The disparity between governmental promises and the reality on the ground raises doubts about the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Moreover, privatisation of public schools through education foundations and NGOs has only exacerbated the issue. These private entities often fail to deliver on their promises of improving education quality and access for marginalized communities. The outsourcing of 11,000 schools in Punjab is a troubling development, as it risks making education even less accessible, particularly for the poor.
In conclusion, while there are efforts to improve the educational landscape, the root causes of the problem remain unresolved. To truly tackle the education crisis, the government must invest in infrastructure, recruit more teachers, and ensure the implementation of policies that guarantee free, quality education for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
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