Illiteracy In Pakistan Part 2

Problems to ensure quality education are widespread. These are acknowledged at all levels and encompass teacher shortage and absenteeism, minimal supervision, poor infrastructure and shortage of teaching materials. While Social Action Programme (SAP) succeeded in increasing the number of schools, inadequate attention was given to quality education including teacher’s availability and teachers accountability. This rendered many schools non-functional. The growth in private schooling estimated at 30% of total provision. especially in rural areas, suggests that there I considerable demand for quality education. Literacy rate is estimated to be 51.6% in 2002-03. Under the Education Sector Reforms, National Literacy Campaign (Integrated approach to comprehensive Literacy and Poverty Reduction) has been launched through out the country.

The campaign envisages making 13.5 million people literate to enhance the literacy rate to 60° by 2005. Around 270,000 adult literacy centers would be open for this purpose, Gender disparity in primary and secondary education exists in low income countries. The gender gap, on average, stood at 11 percentage points at the primary level and 19 percentage points at the secondary level. The gap is widest in several Asian countries as well as in several Africa and the Middle Eastern countries. Eliminating gender gaps in basic education/literacy is the cornerstone of Government of Pakistan Policy for social development in general and in education in particular. Ministry of Education has a policy framework in place to advance gender equality in education. Each target is gender disaggregated in Education Sector Reforms(ESR) and Education For All (EFA) Programs.

Diverse programs and strategies have been developed, ranging from compensatory programs such as stipends at middle and secondary levels. free textbooks and school nutrition support to girls schools. Initiatives in Public Private Partnerships such as school up-gradation program in the afternoons has resulted in a higher coverage for girls at middle, secondary and higher secondary levels. Of the 6240 schools upgraded in Punjab and NWFP, 3787 or 60.76% are girls schools, and 18% are mixed schools. This program is an outstanding example of addressing gender equity in Pakistan for non-elite groups. In NWFP, of the total 93 upgraded institutions, 80% are girls and mixed schools. Furthermore all 50% development allocations are being provided to girls schools.

Ministry of Education has a special desk for Gender in the Education For All (EFA) Wing for facilitating:  Gender sensitization and training  Development of research, survey and data tools/system to analyze gender issues and ensue the application of pertinent sex-disaggregated data.  Gender – responsiveness in planning, implementing, monitoring & evaluating, and gathering of lesson learned.  Communication, information sharing and problem-soling on gender and education issues.  Experience sharing between government and non-government stakeholders in education.

Gross enrolment ratio at primary level will be increased to 105% by year 2020 and Compulsory Primary Education Act will be promulgated and enforced in a phased manner. Full utilization of existing capacity at the basic level has been ensured by providing for introduction of double shift in existing school of basics education. One model secondary school will be set up at each district level. A definite vocation or a career will be introduced at secondary level. It would be ensured that all the boys and girls, desirous of entering secondary education, are enrolled in secondary schools. Curriculum for secondary and higher secondary will be revised and multiple textbooks will be introduced. The participation rate will be increased from 31% to 48% by 2002-03. Both formal and non-formal means shall be used to provide increased opportunities for in-service training to the working teachers, preferably at least once in five years. To evolve an integrated system of national education by bringing Deeni Madras and modern schools closer to each stream in curriculum and the contents of education Nazira Qur’an will be introduced as a compulsory component from grade 1-Vill while at secondary level translation of the selected verses from the Holy Quran will be offered.

Ten Perspective plan 2001-11 and Three Ye Development Programme 2002-05 have been prepared on the bas& of National Education Policy 1998-2010 to address the issues of low literacy and participation rates at various levels of education, quality of education, limited options for technical/vocational education and low participation of private sector. The Plan proposes new initiatives achieving accelerated literacy rate, opening/upgrading of primary/secondary schools, Teachers training projects Establishment of National Education Assessment System, revamping of Science Education.

facilities, establishing technical institutions, improving quality of education at all levels. Total size of the Plan is estimated Rs.192 billion including federal provision of Rs.54 billion. The Ten Year Perspective Plan 2001-11 and Three Year Programme 2002-05 propose to increase the literacy rate to 59% (69% for male & 47% for female) by 2005. It is estimated that during 2002-03, about 3.2 million additional population of age 10+ will become literate through primary education. To equip the teachers and students of Madras with latest knowledge of Science and information Technology, it is intended to introduce formal subjects

in willing Madras. The Federal Government will provide financial assistance to these Madras for salaries c teachers, books, computers and teachers training etc.

it is estimated that during 2002-0 gross participation rate a Primary level will increase from 85% to 88% (Male from 97% to 99 and. Female from 72% to 76%). At Middle level gross participation rate is estimated to increase from 57% to 59% (Male from 57% to 60% arc Female from 46% to 49%). At Secondary level the participation rate s estimated to increase from 38% to 40% (Male from 45% to 4% arc Female from 31% to 34%). Technical Education is being introduce1a district level. Technical stream at Secondary level is also u/der implementation. A virtual university has been established. Model university ordinance has been approved. Information Technology (IT) facilities have been provided to universities. In order to improve access and quality of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission has been set up to formulate policies, guiding principles and priorities for higher education institutions for promotion of socioeconomic development of the country.

There shall be regulatory bodies at the national and provincial levels to regulate activities and smooth functioning of privately- managed schools and institutions of higher education through proper rules and regulations. A reasonable tax rebate shall be granted on the expenditure incurred on the setting-up of educational facilities by the private sector. Matching grants shall, be provided for establishing educational institutions by the private sector in the rural areas or poor urban areas through Education Foundations. Existing institutions of higher learning shall be allowed to negotiate’ for financial assistance with donor agencies in collaboration With the Ministry of Education. Educational institutions, to be set up in the private sector shall be provided (a) plots in residential schemes on reserve prices, and (b) rebate on income tax, like industry. Schools running on non-profit oasis shall be exempted from all taxes. Curricula of private institutions. must conform to the principles laid down in the Federal Supervision of curricular Textbooks and Maintenance of Standards of Education Act, 1976. The fee structure of the privately managed educational institutions shall be developed in consultation with the government.

The development of strong institutions of higher education and quality research are crucial for sustained education and economic development. Pakistan’s public and private universities except a few are confronted with lack of ‘resources, ineffective governance and institutional weaknesses The Government has dissolved university grants commission and has established a Higher Education Commission (HEC) under an Ordinance in 2002 to strengthen higher education with a focus on science and. Technology, and research in Pakistan. The plan aims at increasing access to higher education from 2.6 percent to 5 percent with substantial contribution from the private sector, establishing Endowment Funds in engineering universities in the public sector, shifting emphasis from humanities, to science and technology, and introducing IT education in all public universities. To bring institutional improvement, a model University.

Ordinance is under consideration that regulates university structures. The government has also established a Virtual University with affiliate campuses. There are 96 universities/degree awarding institutions in the country as against 48 in 1999. The Government has begun additional funding and performance-based incentives to universities to implement their/ modernization program. Priority will be given to investments in the areas of (a) institutional capacity building to strengthen administration and management capacity at the national, provincial and university levels, (b) upgrading of professional and academic skills of faculty relevant to teaching and learning; (C) quality inputs to make the teaching and learning environment more effective; and developing linkages with industry in Pakistan. Access to higher education shall be expanded to at least 5% of the age group 17-23 by the year 2010. Merit shall be the criterion for entry into higher education.