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ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP):Education experts, researchers, and policy analysts on Monday raised serious concerns over the deteriorating condition of the country’s education system, urging the government to undertake urgent and comprehensive policy reforms.
Speaking at a webinar titled “Shaping the Future: Reforming Pakistan’s Higher Education through Policy Innovation”, hosted by the Alliance for Good Governance Foundation, participants stressed that Pakistan’s higher education sector is at a critical turning point. Without a clear national strategy, the sector risks further decline in quality, accessibility, and relevance.
Dr. Mubashaira, a public health and education expert, opened the session by describing the situation as an education crisis. “Without meaningful reforms, our institutions will continue to produce graduates unprepared for real-world challenges,” she warned.
She called for integrating practical learning, innovation, and digital skills into the education system.
Kanwal Bijoro, a youth education advocate, emphasized the growing urban-rural divide in education and highlighted the need for increased investment in rural infrastructure, trained faculty, and digital access. “We are effectively writing off an entire generation in underdeveloped regions if this disparity is not addressed,” she said.
Bijoro argued that real transformation would only occur when remote and marginalized communities are empowered with equal access to quality education. “We need to provide not just buildings, but trained teachers, digital access, learning tools, and ongoing professional development.”
Focusing on skill-based learning, Dr. Shahida Naveed emphasized that a skill-based education system is the backbone of any thriving economy. “The future belongs to those who can adapt, think critically, and apply practical skills,” she noted.
She underlined the need to shift away from outdated academic models. “Success isn’t limited to degrees—technical skills, entrepreneurship, and digital fluency are the real building blocks of a modern economy,” she said, urging closer collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions.
“Traditional education models that ignore these elements are no longer sustainable. Pakistan must embrace skill-based learning if we are to bridge the gap between academia and industry.”
Curriculum specialist Syed Yasir Ali drew attention to the outdated content taught across many colleges and universities. “Curriculum redesign is not a choice anymore — it’s a necessity,” he asserted. “We are still teaching models and theories from decades ago, completely disconnected from today’s technological advancements and market needs.”
He proposed the creation of a national task force comprising educators, industry leaders, and policymakers to build a flexible, adaptive, and globally aligned curriculum.
Alliance Convenor Dr. Tariq Khan, who concluded the session, warned that Pakistan stands at a crossroads. “We must choose between reform and regression,” he said, advocating for a national education emergency and a unified roadmap involving all stakeholders—government, universities, civil society, and the private sector.
Dr. Khan emphasized the need to incorporate AI literacy, environmental education, and cross-disciplinary learning to prepare a generation equipped for the challenges of the 21st century.
Participants also called for improved governance and accountability in higher education institutions, highlighting the lack of monitoring and quality assurance across public universities and colleges.
The webinar concluded with a unanimous resolution urging federal and provincial governments to take immediate steps toward educational policy reform, particularly focusing on long-term planning rather than short-term fixes. Key recommendations included establishing a National Skills Council, revising higher education governance structures, increasing public investment in education to at least 4% of GDP, and launching nationwide teacher training initiatives.
The Alliance for Good Governance Foundation announced that it would compile all suggestions and research findings from the webinar into a white paper to be submitted to the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for review and action.