Education is crucial for human development on a personal level. On the national level, there is no room for growth, whether economic growth, social broadness or ethical upbringing, without an education. Therefore, the role of education in nation-building is as essential as the foundation stone. However, a country like Pakistan is facing some drastic situations in this regard. How can we improve our education system to make it effective and positively impact society?
Current Education System in Pakistan
In Pakistan, education is subdivided into multi-facet streams. Majorly, formal and informal educations are the types of education. In informal education, homeschooling and madrasa-based schooling come. On the other hand, formal education is a school, college, and university education. The school systems in Pakistan either provide education according to the national curriculum or follow the Oxford curriculum.
The national boards of education offer a curriculum from class one to matric. This curriculum is further divided into Urdu medium and English medium of education. Language variation is the significant difference between these two mediums of a similar academic education curriculum. The boards of education conduct the major board exams on a provisional basis for classes 9th and 10th. They are typically called matric classes. After passing the matric class, the students enrol in an intermediate level of education in the specialisation options among Science (Pre-Medical or Pre-Engineering), Arts, Or Commerce.
On the other hand, the oxford curriculum is known as A & O levels of education. The University of Cambridge offers O Levels, a secondary school diploma comparable to the Matriculation awarded in Pakistan. As a result, A-Levels are higher secondary school diplomas equivalent to the intermediate degree offered in Pakistan.
Difference between Cambridge & Local Education
It is a common belief that Cambridge education is more conceptual, progressive, and fruitful in comparison to local education comprised of the national curriculum of provisional boards. While an intermediate and A-level student may be the same age, the A-level student is psychologically far more developed. This is partially due to the coursework required by the British educational system and partially because of the environmental differences between intermediate college and A levels.
You are taught as an A-level student that you should develop your independence and not just rely on your parents for your undergraduate education. Before enrolling in college, it is strongly advised to begin working or engaging in some business.
Here falls the significant difference. The skills of A & O level students are more well-developed compared to the Matriculation and intermediate level of education.
Need of Education
21st Century Requirements
The century we live in is much more advanced, progressive, and fast in pace compared to the earlier centuries. Therefore, it is a dire need for an hour to arrange and design the curriculum on all levels of education to empower students with the latest educational material with the latest topics and research to enable them to think ahead of their time.
Advancement of Technologies
The motive of education is to groom students on all levels to manage modern times and requirements. Including technology in theory and practical life at all stages is essential. We live in an era where computers, mobile devices, and the internet are pens and papers. As a result, the next two to three decades depend entirely on tech, and many traditional jobs and businesses are even alarmed by their future existence.
Economic Crises
Countries need economic plans at regular intervals to stay prepared for the next five to ten years. However, if the responsible people and officials are not well-aware, gauged, and trained to foresee what may come next. How they will balance out the matters of imports and exports, financial and monetary policies, contracts, and contingency plans to overcome any straits. It is not alone; the structural development and allocation of resources with job creation and business opportunities are major responsible for the better economic standing of a country. It is impossible without powerful education on formal and personal levels.
Social Broadness
Society build-up up when people come together. If uneducated people with narrow minds and conservative beliefs rule society, every powerful person will thin down options for those under their hands. However, with education, the person learns to be independent, responsible, ethically responsible, and mature in mind and thinking. Therefore, education is a society builder, a nation builder.
Combination of Cultural Values with Modern Aspects
By religion, Pakistan is an Islamic state, and due to the Mughlai past of united India, the roots of the tradition are too strong in the country. Therefore, finding the balance between religion and tradition for a progressive present to stay vigilant to the modern future is essential to spread high-quality, broad-minded, and impactfully learning opportunities for our people.
Conclusion
Education plays a crucial role in nation-building and development. People and countries stand strong on the robust foundation of education. In a country like Pakistan, in the presence of religion, tradition, and multiple cultures, it is crucial to follow updated education on all levels simultaneously to ensure every child gets equal chances and resources to grow to play their part for a better future in the best possible way. Therefore, the role of education is non-neglectable for nation-building and development.
