A Deeper Crisis In Education

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: In the grand tapestry of nation-building, there exists a group of unsung heroes whose influence knows no bounds. These educators are the backbone, shaping not just the minds of the future but also the very character of a nation. They are the ones who guide a country through the treacherous quagmire of challenges and adversity, earning the world’s unwavering respect and admiration.

Teacher’s Day is a poignant reminder of the tireless dedication of these selfless individuals, who have poured countless hours into moulding the destiny that lies ahead.

Yet, in the ‘Land of the Pure’, Pakistan, a nation teeming with potential, stands on the precipice of opportunity yet mired in a quagmire of problems. Instead of extricating itself from the quicksand of neglect, the weight of indifference has pulled it deeper by the hour.

Policies intended to support teachers have birthed nationwide protests, driven by the absence of a structured service system, unlike other departments that have often misappropriated the national treasury.

Protests reverberate through the streets of cities, with both students and teachers united against the government’s inaction. Their collective voice, however, has been met with brute force as the authorities, especially the police, have been unleashed to instil fear, silencing the clamour for change.

A rising exodus of educators, with a million having left in a year, paints a grim picture. Many are liquidating their possessions to escape a choking system that shows no signs of respite.

The stark image of university professors sitting in protest outside the Higher Education Commission (HEC) starkly depicts the nose-dive Pakistan is taking in the realm of education. Despite the issue being raised in the Senate, it languishes, like countless other committees’ futile endeavours. 76 years of policy-making have failed miserably to establish a structured service system for teachers, raising questions about the capability of those in power or the possibility that they’ve ascended through backdoors, leaving true problem solvers marginalised.

This is a story told through three pictures, portraying the descent from bad to worse while education takes a backseat on the policymakers’ agenda.

An open-air girl’s school in Azad Kashmir showcases girls determined to attend classes but questions arise about the funds allocated for such institutions.

The professors’ protests outside the HEC hint at systemic issues, whether through incompetence or a deliberate design to stifle the nation’s builders, ensuring they don’t contribute to the national mainstream.

Should these problems persist, a wave of jobless youth will likely lead to increased crime rates and lawlessness, for, as the adage goes, ‘a hungry man is an angry man’. This should be a resounding wake-up call for policymakers as teachers represent only the tip of the iceberg.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.