The Issue of Abuse and Misrepresentation in Education
Saleem Raza
Bradford, UK: In Pakistan, confusion and mismanagement plague almost every profession, and the education sector is no exception. Just as street quacks pose as doctors and destroy people’s health, the same trend is also seen in education.
In Pakistan there is no shortage of people, talent , academic prowess and skills, but at the same time there is no shortage of those claiming status and positions of which they are not worthy. Individuals with the bare minimum qualifications, or even with failed academic records, are teaching students, running private tuition centres, or claiming lofty titles like “Lecturer” and “Professor” in total defiance of the merit.
Let’s take a clear and structured look at what it truly means to be a qualified teacher, lecturer, or professor and what competencies are actually required.
- Teacher – The Foundation of Learning
Unfortunately, often across Pakistan, people who barely passed matriculation with third division or 33 percent marks are hired as teachers or deemed heads of private schools. Some have no formal education beyond primary school, yet run entire institutions.
But a professional teacher should have:
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.Sc.)
Professional Training: B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) or M.Ed. (Master of Education)
Pedagogical Skills: Understanding of curriculum, student psychology, modern teaching methods
Communication: Proficient in Urdu and English for effective delivery
A teacher’s role goes far beyond textbook instruction. They play a vital part in shaping students’ thinking, character, and confidence.
- Lecturer – More Than Just a Title
In many private colleges, people with basic degrees or even no formal training in education call themselves “lecturers”. The title is used loosely without any professional benchmarks.
A competent lecturer should at least meet these standards:
Minimum Education: A master’s degree (M.A./M.Sc.) in a relevant subject
Academic Expertise: Deep subject knowledge, updated with the latest developments
Teaching Experience: At least 2–3 years of real academic engagement
Research Awareness: Participation in seminars, academic discourse, and publications
Critical Thinking: Ability to provoke thought, not just deliver content
Lecturers are not just educators — they are academic mentors, curriculum contributors, and knowledge facilitators.
- Professor – A Title Earned, Not Claimed
In Pakistan, even primary school tutors or college instructors casually call themselves “professors”. However, becoming a professor is a distinguished position earned through decades of academic excellence and leadership.
Here’s what it truly takes:
Minimum Qualification: PhD in a specialised field
Research Contribution: Peer-reviewed publications, research projects, journal articles
Experience: 10–15 years of teaching and academic supervision
Academic Leadership: Supervising M.Phil. and PhD. scholars, leading departments
Global Relevance: Involvement in national/international academic bodies and policy-making
A professor is not just a teacher but also a scholar, leader, and a guiding force in shaping the academic landscape of a nation.
It’s Time to Raise the Bar
If Pakistan is to evolve into an intellectually empowered and developed society, we must restore merit, training, and proper qualification standards in the field of education. Unqualified tutors, self-proclaimed lecturers, and fake professors must be replaced by truly trained and deserving professionals.
Only then can we hope to build a future where knowledge is respected, education is valued, and students are empowered with truth and talent.
All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.
Note: This article is meant to provoke thoughtful discussion and awareness. It does not target any individual or institution but rather highlights the urgent need for reform in the education sector.
