Education in Shadow of Wealth

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: The image of children huddled on the ground, their clothes threadbare and books worn, paints a stark portrait of Pakistan’s educational disparity.

It’s a scene that stands in stark contrast to the immense wealth concentrated in the hands of a privileged few.

This image, likely captured in Chagai District, a region rich in minerals exposed by nuclear tests, becomes a symbol of a nation grappling with corruption and unequal resource distribution.

Chagai District, with its potential goldmine, the Ricodeq Mine, exemplifies the cruel irony of Pakistan’s situation. Here, where the earth holds untold riches, the people who call it home remain mired in poverty.

Education, the key to unlocking a brighter future, becomes a distant dream as funds earmarked for schools vanish into the pockets of the corrupt. This scene is not unique.

Kashmir, often referred to as “heaven on earth” for its breathtaking beauty, presents a similar story.  Here too, children receive their education not within the walls of a proper school, but squatting on the ground.

The wealth of the land, its natural splendor, seems irrelevant to the lives of those who reside there.

The parallel is clear: Pakistan boasts immense wealth, yet its people struggle to access basic necessities like education. This deliberate neglect, some argue, serves a purpose.

An uneducated populace is less likely to question authority or demand their rights.

Generations have passed, each witnessing countless tales of corruption where those in power prioritize personal gain over the well-being of the nation.

The image of these children serves as a powerful indictment of this system. Their hunger for knowledge shines through the tattered pages of their books, a stark contrast to the greed that has left them in the shadows.

It is a stark reminder that true wealth lies not in resources buried beneath the earth, but in the minds and potential of its people. Pakistan will rise and shine again.

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

Photo credit: Anonymous Source