International Literacy Day- The Frontier Post [Archive] By Waqar Hussain

(Tuesday October 6,1992)

We have recently celebrated the International Literacy Day with renewed pledge. The day is observed to high-light the gravity of education for social-economic progress of mankind. Literacy open new vistas to modern knowledge and enlightenment. 

Pakistan has literacy rate of 31 percent which is lowest among the developing countries i.e. compared to 87 percent in SriLanka, 86 percent in  Thailand, 84 percent in Philippines, 86 percent in Yugoslavia, 79 percent in Malaysia, 64 percent in Indonesia, 70 percent in Chine and 40 percent in India.

Pakistan is spending about 3.6 percent of its GNP on education. However, it is low compared to 4 percent recommended by UNESCO for developing countries. Pakistan being a poor country, if one ignores the fact like Motorway project from Lahore to Islamabad, bullet rain from Lahore to Karachi, one billion German aircraft for his highness, legion federal cabinet etc, cannot spend as much as directed by UNESCO.

"Bulletine of world knowledge" has provided some statistic about education . Pakistan has 13 percent competent teachers as compared to 37 percent in Britain, 51 percent in the USA, 43 percent in former USSR, 60 percent in Germany, 63 percent in japan, 35 percent in France and 80 percent in Switzerland it is shocking news fro the whole country. 

Al the above mentioned statistics are depicting the standard of education in Pakistan. There are many factors responsible for this fate. Pedagogue's status in society and their low financial earning, unemployment, corruption, saffarish, bootimafia, kalashnikove's domination, student's politics, unjustifiable syllabus, poverty, high population growth rate; all contribute for low education standard in Pakistan.

iItis the time to ruminate and adopt revolutionary steps to eradicate some of the evils if not all. Mere celebration of International Literacy Day is not enough .

WAQAR HUSSSAIN,

Lahore.