Workable education policy stressed

LAHORE

Speakers have called for a comprehensive and a workable education policy that meets the contemporary challenges and helps the youth to have a better life in society. 

They were speaking at a book-launching ceremony, arranged by the Institute of Education and Research, University of Punjab on Wednesday. 

The book published by Oxford Press on ‘Education Polices of Pakistan was written by eminent educationist Dr Shahid Siddiqui. The speakers included Dr Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Dr Uzma Qureshi, Vice Chancellor Lahore College for Women University, Dr Mumtaz Akhtar, Dean and Director, IER, PU, Prof Shahzeb Khan and the author Dr Siddiqui, who is currently Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University.

While presenting the book’s review, the speakers noted that it was the first document that gave a comprehensive account of Education Policies in Pakistan, since 1947.

Through the book, the author who had been associated with Pakistan education system for the last three decades made critical analysis of the policies’ designing process and their implementation. Each chapter of the book contains a section devoted to specific issue of the education system.

Besides, identifying the reasons for failure of education polices, the writer made some doable recommendations for effective implementation of the education policies. Dr Mujahid Kamran said that the book provides answers to various pertinent questions, relating to education system that nation needs today. He hoped that each teacher and scholar will go through it to understand the basics of education policies.

Dr Uzma Qureshi commended the author for making substantial recommendations in the book as a future guideline for policymakers.

Dr Mumtaz Akhtar and Dr Shahzeb Khan appreciated the author’s devoted efforts in providing a useful data for the researchers. It is relevant to research scholars, teachers and those who are interested in education’s policy’s planning and its implementation.

Explaining the various features of the book, Dr Shahid Siddiqui said, it is an attempt to study the education policies in Pakistan in a critical and holistic manner. The book with 14 chapters selects major themes in education policies. The author through this book has done pioneering work as nobody had previously discussed the policies in such a comprehensive way, the speakers said adding outdated and ineffective education policies have been the major reasons behind several prevailing education-related issues.

Shahid Siddiqui said there is dire need to revamp the entire education sector, as it is the only sector that could bring about a real and meaningful change in lives of the poor. There is one chapter in the book that highlights about the socio-political situation of the country and explained as how policies are affecting them, he said. There are number of reasons why education policies had failed, as there may be some unrealistic data provided before policy-making. Human and financial resources and lack of planning could also be major reasons behind failure of policies, he said, adding that there are internal and external pressures, which could affect the policies and their implementation.