1. Our Education System and Pakistan
We all know the importance of education. It is the most important aspect of any
nation‟s survival today. Education builds the nations; it determines the future of a
nation. So that‟s why we have to adopt our Education Policies very carefully
because our future depends on these policies.
ISLAM also tells us about Education and its importance. The real essence
of Education according to ISLAM is “to know ALLAH” but I think in our country we
truly lost. Neither our schools nor our madrassa‟s (Islamic Education Centres)
are truly educating our youth in this regard. In schools, we are just preparing
them for “Money”. We aren‟t educating them we are just preparing “Money
Machines”. We are only increasing the burden of the books for our children and
just enrolling them in a reputed, big school for what, just for social status??? On
the other hand in our madrassas we are preparing people who finds very difficult
to adjust in the modern society. Sometimes it seems that they are from another
planet. A madrassa student can‟t compete even in our country then the World is
so far from him. He finds very difficult to even speak to a school boy. It is crystal
clear that Islamic Education is necessary for Muslims but it is also a fact that
without modern education no one can compete in this world. There are many
examples of Muslim Scholars who not only study the Holy Quraan but also
mastered the other subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy and
many more, with the help of Holy Quraan. I think with the current education
system we are narrowing the way for our children instead of widening it. There is
no doubt that our children are very talented, both in schools and in madrassas,
we just need to give them proper ways to groom, give them the space to become
Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan,
Alberoni, Abnalhasam, or Einstein, Newton, Thomas Edison. The education
system we are running with is not working anymore. We have to find a way to
bridge this gap between school and madrassa. Robert Maynard Hutchins
describes it as “The object of education is to prepare the young to educate
themselves throughout their lives.” We should give our youth the way to educate
themselves.
Edward Everett said that “Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a
standing army.” Sadly, in Pakistan we are spending more budgets on our arms
than on education which depicts our ideology about education! Since 1947 not a
single government is able to change this scenario. In price of a grenade almost
20 to 30 children can go to school for the whole year and the other picture.... a
grenade can kill 20 to 30 grown people! So a grenade is damaging in two ways
stopping children education and then killing innocent people!!! Why not
authorities think about this? Answer.... we all know that!!! Don‟t we?

2. Now lets talk about our Policy Makers, it seems they are not working enough.
Every year policy for education is reviewed by the government but the results are
same.... Illiteracy rate is going upwards in Pakistan according to a recent survey.
Somebody starting “Nai Roshni School”, somebody starting “Parha Likha Punjab”
etc. for what to educate Pakistan? Well, I don‟t think so. These “People” are
playing with our nation for the last 60 years just for their on profits and aims. We
should and we have to think about our children education now that are we
educating them in the right way? If not, what should we do? We have to act now
otherwise it‟s going to be too late for PAKISTAN!!!
2. Impact of Foreign Education
In a changing global scenario, Third World countries are accelerating
efforts to achieve recognizable success in the field of education. Pakistan has
also taken measures to this effect. These efforts, though laudable, are debated
by some academics as non-sustainable and thus non-productive.
Notwithstanding these objections, over 2,000 students have been able to avail
scholarships advertised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). These
scholarships in the field of science and technology are expected to bring
expertise to the country and set it on the path of progress. The experience also
aims to give individuals a global perspective, hence contributing towards the
making of „global‟ citizens. On the economic and employment front, it offers a
great advantage to graduates of prestigious international universities in gaining
employment within the country and abroad. In the job market, preference is given
to fresh graduates!
This fact was highlighted when a respected teacher and faculty member of the
Punjab University visited the student advising office at the US Consulate Lahore
to inquire about Graduate Degree Programs in the US for his son. He explained
that despite the fact that his son had a record of outstanding academic
credentials, he lost out to foreign, especially US educated candidates, in the job
market. Unfortunate though the situation may appear for the local graduates, it is
a fact that the international education experience, especially at renowned
educational institutions, does often give an advantage to students who are
applying for jobs.
This understanding has led to an increase in study abroad plans in almost all
countries, especially in those countries where the local education industry is still
evolving. UNESCO records a 56 percent increase in international student
enrollment from 1999-2004. Six countries host 69 percent of the world‟s mobile
students. They are: USA (22 percent); UK 14 percent; Germany 10 percent;
France 10 percent; Australia seven percent and China five percent (UNESCO,

3. and Open Doors 2006). Currently there are 2.5 million international students
worldwide and according to forecasts there will be 7.2 million international
students (worldwide) in 2025 (Boehm, Davis, Meares and Pearce, 2002).
What is important here is to understand the reasons for this increased demand,
apart from the fact that it is perceived as a key to better employability. The
American Council on Education enumerates the following factors which have led
to an increase in „internationally mobile students,‟ a term coined by UNESCO:
Projected growth in household wealth
Increased demand for higher education
Lack of capacity in some countries to meet this demand
Growing interest in studying overseas
(Boehm, Davis, Meares and Pearce, 2002).
The last factor enumerated above can be better explored when seen in the
context of the changing global scenario. It is no longer a world where countries or
economies function in semi-isolation. Today‟s world is an interdependent and
fiercely competitive entity; multinationals are erasing geographical boundaries in
the context of business/industrial investment and opportunities. To be able to
compete successfully, they look for local human resources in countries where
they are investing. These employers have the advantage of selecting the best
and the brightest because of attractive employment benefits. One endearing
element in candidate selection seems to be the „study abroad‟ experience.
Notwithstanding the academic value of a „foreign‟ degree, what really attracts the
employer is the „global experience‟. This experience or exposure in the case of
international students provides an opportunity to interact with teachers and
students from different countries, stimulates learning and allows insights into
different points of view. It also helps in creating an international network of
contacts.
By way of example it is interesting to note some similarities between experiences
looked forward to by Freshmen at four-year colleges in the US (Chronicle of
Higher Education August ‟05) and employers rating of the importance of
candidates qualities/skills (10 Things employers want you to learn in college, Bill
Coplin, Ten Speed Press, 2003). Among the 13 objectives listed by students, five
in the top bracket deal with communication and interaction with people of diverse
racial or cultural backgrounds. In the rating provided by employers the majority of

4. the desired qualities involve communication and interpersonal skills. On a five-
point scale the top four most important skills rated by employers are:
It is interesting to note that the Grade Point Average (GPA) gets a rating of 3.68
in comparison! This is not to undermine the importance of the GPA since it is an
indicator of skills and reveals how good the student is at “figuring out what the
professors want and then delivering the goods” (Bill Coplin”).
What stands out is the significance of and focus on communication or
interpersonal skills; these are the qualities that an international learning
environment provides and these are skills that employers and big businesses are
looking for. Because of the diverse multicultural environment in colleges and
universities in the US and because the US is host to the largest international
student population worldwide. American colleges and universities provide the
most conducive environment for acquiring effective people-dealing skills, this is
why “over 565,000 international students are enrolled in the US Higher Education
– more than twice as many as any other leading host” (American Council on
Education).
- See more at: http://www.ilmkidunya.com/student_articles/impact-of-foreign-
education-89.aspx#sthash.kG1Y33lw.dpuf
3. Islamic Education VS Modern Education
Now-a-days there are a lot of people who talk about the modern and
Islamic Education. And it really surprises me as I don‟t believe there is any
difference in Islamic and modern Education. Look Education is Education.
Education means to know about something. The modern science is being
defined as “system of knowledge gained by systematic research and organized
into general laws”.
The Humans are asked, on various occasions in the Quran, to research, to
make some thorough investigations about the universe and to find the hidden
truth in the things around us. The ALLAH ALMIGHTY has invited us to look
around and observe the things in order to solidify our belief in HIM. We believe in

5. ALLAH but it will solidify our belief in HIM even more.
Now can anybody let me know where the difference is? There is no difference as
we are welcomed to observe, to feel and to understand the things to come closer
to our CREATOR. It means that we are entitled to learn science as science is the
systematic way to observing a fact or finding a fact for which we are asked to.
Now from where does this concept of “Islamic Education” and “Modern
Education” come? In fact we have restricted ourselves to some part of Islam and
preaching only that part is given the name “Islamic Education”. Will anybody let
me know what Islam really is? Islam is the complete code of life. There are
solutions to all kind of problems a human being can face in his lifetime. There is
economic system, there is science, there is political system, there is educational
system and all other things a man can ask for, in Islam.Now-a-days whenever we
discuss the politics we keep Islam aside. Is it right? Of course not! The Quran
says: Mafhoom: Indeed The Messenger of ALLAH is the best example for you.
And we find The Messenger of ALLAH, Hazrath MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H) making
the policies in the state of MADINA. Now what is this? Does it not prove that
politics is a part of Islam? The economic policies of Hazrath Umer Farooq (The
second Caliph) amazed the European economists. Is it not Islam? In gazwa-e-
Badr some of the enemies were captured and those, who were educated among
them, were asked to teach the Muslims. Can anybody tell me what they taught to
the Muslims, Islamic Virtues? What do you think?
May ALLAH guide us towards the right way and help us in our life.
4. Education for All... Think again!
When talking of the governmental claims and policies, seems that Pakistan
is really working to flourish its education sector but I believe that the picture of
educational conditions is grim as Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in

6. the world.
By 2005 according to the statistics provided by the government the literacy rate
of the country was 54% approximately. Whereas the unofficial statistics differ and
the rate is less than about 50% and the government still claims to increase it to
60%. From 1976 to the date the number of primary schools doubled, but so did
the population. High levels of population growth continue to hamper educational
development in the country. The government launched a nationwide initiative in
1998 with the aim of eradicating illiteracy and providing a basic education to all
children but we can see the actual scenario.
The picture of educational conditions in Pakistan is depressing. Although
successive governments have announced various programs to promote literacy,
especially among women, they have been unable to translate their words into
action because of various political, social and cultural obstacles. Independent
sources and educational experts, however, place the overall literacy rate at 26
per cent and the rate for girls and women at 12 per cent, contending that the
higher figures include people who can handle little more than a signature. The
situation is especially alarming in rural areas due to social and cultural obstacles.
One of the most deplorable aspects is that in some places, particularly northern
tribal areas, the education of girls is strictly prohibited on religious grounds. This
is a gross misinterpretation of Islam, which like all religions urges men and
women to acquire education. Even though there is a lack of concern on the part
of government to promote education, some religious groups, political parties and
NGOs are working actively to do so, despite all barriers. The media have played
an effective role in convincing people to send their children to schools, the
situation remains dramatic in the villages and small towns where almost 70 per
cent of the country's population resides.
Let‟s now discuss about the role of our governments towards the education
system. According to the constitution, it is the state‟s responsibility to provide free
primary education. Five years has been established as the period of primary
school attendance, but attendance is not compulsory. There are 122, 349
primary schools in Pakistan, of which merely 30, 078 cater to girls. Of these,
approximately 13,000 are in Punjab Province. These are the statistics provided
by the government of Pakistan. I wish to refer only to Punjab where some
positive efforts are being initiated by Punjab Education Foundation and according
to them they are providing funds to private schools in rural and urban areas
which were charging fee amount up to Rs.300 and now foundation is providing
that fund per head.
A school of our rural area (Punjab province)
The Punjab Education Foundation was established under the Punjab Education
Foundation Act of 1991 as an autonomous statutory body to encourage and

7. promote education in the private sector operating on non-commercial/ non-profit
basis. The Punjab Education Foundation has been restructured under the Punjab
Education Foundation Act-XII of 2004 for the promotion of education, specially
encouraging and supporting the efforts of the private sector in providing
education to the poor, through public private partnership. Now when we talk of
partnership as being claimed by the officials the question arises of “does it
actually exists?” or it‟s a relationship of an employer and employee. Partnership
works on equality which in real situation we cannot see as PEF is engaging its
efforts more into a “boss” role. Restricting my discussion only to one district of
province of Punjab where private institutions are being funded by PEF. They say
that to help the poor they contributed their effort and still working on it but are
they actually working for the poor? The question remains unanswered. They
provided the funds on the basis of quality education and assured the owners their
“partnership” but the institutions were working before their initiative so is it their
effort? Do they think that providing Rs. 300 per child they are fulfilling their
obligation?
The expenses of running a school in any remote area are not so less, it includes
cost of building and even the books and most important the cost of employees
that are teachers so our PEF is aware of all these expenses? Surely they must
be aware of that‟s why after signing a contract they visit so often just to see is the
building is being constructed, children are provided with quality education,
teachers are paid well and the list goes on.... Our officials need to think about
their strategies before implementing because implementation phase of attractive
paper work is difficult and different. Let‟s hope that initiative of PEF is continued
further and such schemes are offered all over the country. PEF has enhanced its
role and should also consider all the related matters in detail and should pay
attention that private school owners‟ rights are not violated and manipulated.
5. Why should I go abroad for study?
Knowledge is such a great power which leads you to travel around the world but
your thirst of knowledge would not be rewarded. While going through the history
pages I came into contact with many great personalities‟ biography and came to
know that they put up with the hardships of long journeys to acquire knowledge.
Besides being fun and exciting, study abroad is an exclusive life changing
experience that will help you grow academically, personally and prepare you for
your professional career.
Now days many students leave their home countries to study, especially students
from developing countries go to developed countries due to superior pattern of
education, better campus facilities, to enlighten their resume and for better

8. employment opportunities. The standard of education is not very high in
developing countries so students prefer foreign universities for advance studies.
Some universities of developed countries have excellent infrastructure, good
research facilities and attractive scholarships for students. These factors are a
magnet for students who want to achieve success in their career path but the
universities in their home country are deficient of the above requirements.
Another most important factor of study abroad is the job opportunity in that
country. As many our country fellows chose study abroad just to get job there
which is pretty easy after getting study visa as well as degree from a good
foreign university always adds up to one‟s resume. Today‟s job market for
graduating students is extremely competitive. You‟re not only competing for jobs
with students from your university or your country. You‟re competing with
students from across the world. A study abroad experience on your resume will
distinguish you from your peers.
It is a fact that a foreign degree adds significant worth to your personal as well as
professional development. A degree from reputed university or college provides
accelerated growth in successful career. It broadens the horizons and reveals a
variety of opportunities for accelerated growth in career.
Study abroad chances have the special purpose of introducing students to the
process of crossing cultures. They help students acquire the skills they need in
order to be comfortable crossing cultural boundaries in the future. International
firms increasingly send new employees abroad in the first few years of
employment. Students who gain that experience through study abroad will be
ready for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Here are some of the changes educators say that they notice in students after
they have been overseas:
1. Comfort with complexity and ability to cope with ambiguous information
2. Willingness to challenge answers that seem too simplistic or formulistic
3. The ability to see more than one side of a question
4. Tolerance for the opinions of the others
5. Flexibility the ability to expect the unexpected
6. Willingness to understand differences and to try to understand different
cultural perspectives
7. Confidence in their own opinions, coupled with willingness to justify their
position
8. Creativity in looking “outside the box" for solutions to problems
9. Willingness to research a question thoroughly before offering solution