Costly education

In recent years the cost of education has surged across all levels, from primary schooling to higher education. Tuition fees, along with additional expenses such as uniforms, books, transportation, and extracurricular activities, have escalated to the point where quality education has become inaccessible for many. Even middle-income families are forced to make significant sacrifices to ensure their children can attend reputable schools. Moreover, the high cost of education brings with it a significant academic pressure on students. Parents, having invested a large portion of their income, often expect outstanding academic performance from their children. This expectation, combined with an increasingly competitive educational environment, leads to immense stress for students. It is essential for policymakers to address these issues to ease the burden on families and allow children to pursue education in a stress-free environment. Introducing subsidised educational programmes, regulating private school fees, and increasing government investment in public schools are crucial steps toward making quality education accessible and affordable. Education should uplift society, not place a financial or emotional strain on families.

Syeda Nameera Hasan

Karachi