Focusing on Higher Education in Pakistan’s Education System
One of the most well-known Latin maxims is Scientia Potentia Est, which roughly translates to “For knowledge itself is power.” It couldn’t be more accurate in today’s hyper-paced, exponentially expanding information world.
The idea of a “knowledge economy” revolves around the idea of turning information and knowledge into a useful resource. Whether it’s an innovative piece of software code or the drawings for a new prototype car, knowledge and information are critical productivity drivers in any industry.
Experience and formal education and training are two ways to acquire knowledge. We need to comprehend our experiences in order to grow from them. That’s where training comes in handy, of course.
We wouldn’t have the world we do today if it weren’t for education, which is a cornerstone of our existence. It is widely accepted that a country with a well-developed education system is well on its way to becoming a highly developed and prosperous nation. Here, in the next few lines, we’ll examine Pakistan’s education system, the issues it faces, and possible solutions.
What We Have Now:
There are five levels of education in Pakistan. Primary schooling is the earliest stage of formal education, extending from kindergarten through the fifth grade. A student’s educational experience can vary greatly depending on the school they attend, with some private schools providing exceptional instruction at a high cost while public schools are frequently decried as being of mediocre quality; we’ll discuss these issues in more detail later in the article.
Sixth graders begin Middle School, which lasts until eighth graders complete their education. Curriculum and educational standards vary from school to school, but the basic idea remains the same. Compared to certain elite schools, public schools are viewed as underwhelming, and elitist schools charge extravagant fees for the greatest education.
Highschooling is the third and final level, which consists of grades 9 through 10. Matriculation or Secondary School Certification (SSC) Exams follow this level. A provincial or district-level exam is used for these tests. Some schools adhere to the Cambridge system of instruction while others use a more traditional approach.
Intermediate Level Schooling is the fourth level, which includes the eleventh and twelfth grades. Higher secondary school certification (HSSC) or intermediate exams follow these two years of schooling, which can be completed at a number of different high schools and institutions. These exams are also held at the provincial and federal levels, just like the SSC exams.
Students commonly alter their professional routes after completing their intermediate education and certification, despite the fact that these two years serve as a basis for students to choose a career path. The demand for career guidance for students appears to be on the rise.
Undergraduate and Post-Graduate degree programmes make up the fifth level. Undergraduate or Bachelor’s degree programmes encompass a wide range of subjects and include everything from a Bachelor of Arts to a Bachelor of Laws degree. The length of these programmes ranges from two to four years, depending on the nature of the specialisation or course. These bachelor’s degree programmes are offered by numerous colleges and universities across the country, both public and private.
There are two levels of Bachelor’s degree programmes: Pass and Honors. The Pass system consists of a total of twelve disciplines, ranging from two-year optional courses to two-year mandatory courses in languages, history, and religion. The Honors system constitutes specialization courses in addition to select compulsory courses over three to four years.
Masters and PhDs are offered in a wide range of areas, from philosophy and education to business administration and engineering, in the Post-Graduate degree programmes. Master’s degree programmes are typically two years long and focus on a certain area of study. The PhD programme is a step up from a master’s degree, lasting three to five years total.
With several public and private universities and degree awarding institutes offering these programs, the quality of education varies profoundly, with select institutes given preference over others. The reason for such a vast difference in the quality of education is primarily the curriculum used, and the faculty of that institute. Again, we’ll get into the specifics of these problems a bit later on in the narrative.