This letter refers to the editorial ‘Education crisis’ (March 11, 2024). Historically, we have spent little on education but even what little we have spent has not yielded positive results. This is because we have failed to integrate the different tiers of education in the country. We also lack any plan about national human resource requirements. We do not know how many doctors, engineers, pharmacists, lawyers, computer experts, and business graduates we need in the coming years. Unless we know about demand, we cannot supply accordingly. This demand-supply imbalance creates joblessness and shortage of required skills.
The new government must also clearly determine the respective roles of the federal and provincial governments in managing education. Primary education has mostly been devolved while the HEC is in limbo. If it has to stay, it needs to be empowered. Otherwise, it ought to be disbanded and the funds transferred to the provincial governments. At present, universities look to the HEC for funding but for all other operational matters to the chief ministers. This dichotomy has created confusion. The PML-N and PPP leaderships must draft a strategy to fix the dismal education sector. The chances for any such deliberations are thin but academics must always be optimistic.
Dr Muhammad Usman Awan
Lahore
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