Education in Pakistan

Here is one side of education in Pakistan ...

(Note about images: Not all of the images in my blog are mine, and credit goes to those who own the pictures.)

and here is another side.

(Note about images: Not all of the images in my blog are mine, and credit goes to those who own the pictures.)

Notice any differences? I do. The gap between the rich and poor in Pakistan is far and wide, as these pictures show. The education system in Pakistan makes me want to cry. Does the Pakistani government not realize that education determines the future of a country? First of all, there are two different mediums in Pakistan, English medium and Urdu medium. The differences between the two are immense. English medium schools are private and, as the name indicates, teach in English. Urdu mediums schools are government-operated and teach in Urdu. The quality of education is much better in English medium schools than in Urdu medium schools. Many children who go to government schools are illiterate even after attending classes. This divides Pakistani children into two different spheres before they are even old enough to realize the unfairness of what has just happened to them. To make matters worse, English medium schools are immensely expensive, so only the rich can attend, which prevents the impoverished to even hope of a better tomorrow while making achievement of goals easy for the rich. While there are cases of success rising from the poor masses, this situation describes the general society of Pakistan - divided by a strong brick wall that is too high for anyone to climb to reach the other side.

What is even worse is that many of English medium students end up going overseas for higher education, and quite a few end up staying in Western nations, causing a brain drain in Pakistan.

So in this situation, you would think that the rich, educated people, so patriotic for their country and so driven to help others, would contribute aid, money, resources, effort, or time to help the impoverished break down the brick wall, right? Wrong. Despite their education, which should have at least given them some common sense, they believe that the impoverished deserve this; they are kami and kamins (pejorative terms describing blue collar workers) and their low-standard, dirty selves should never intermingle with the upper class. Now I am definitely exaggerating, and I know of many exceptions, but you get my point.

I don't know how anyone could possibly believe this and I am glad that I live in a country that gives everyone access to solid education and always encourages those with potential, instead of standing in their way. Anyone living in America should feel very lucky to have access to great education. Even if it is not perfect, it is more than many ever receive.

Khuda Hafiz [May God Keep You Under His Protection].