Political studies

The Moral Purpose of Education vs. The Education System in Pakistan

Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.”

One the primary pillars of an advanced and wealthy society is high-quality education. It is a crucial instrument that enables people to advance their knowledge, abilities, and potential to benefit society and accomplish their objectives. However, education has far more of a wide-ranging goal than simply passing on knowledge and skills. Education serves a moral goal by shaping people’s values and personalities to make them better people. The moral value of education and the current situation of education in Pakistan will be discussed in this article.

Education’s moral goal is to teach people principles like responsibility, respect, empathy, and honesty. It emphasized how crucial it is for people to develop their character as well as their academic skills. This demonstrates that education is about developing as a person, not only about earning good scores. “Education is the art of making man ethical,” as Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel stated.

Furthermore, it is not a novel idea. It goes back to earlier civilizations like ancient Greece, where education was seen as a way to create individuals who were well-rounded. Plato said that education should emphasize the growth of the soul and character of the student. He maintained that education should work to develop values in students like wisdom, courage, and justice.

Imam al-Ghazali, a well-known Muslim philosopher and theologian, shared this viewpoint and thought education should prioritize helping students improve their moral character. He believed that the goal of education was not to produce scholars but rather moral, ethical, and responsible people.

An essential component of social, economic, and political advancement is education. It is a fundamental human right. Education has the ability to transform cultures because it equips people with the abilities, information, and morals they need to succeed in life. The moral goal of education is to prepare people to be civic-minded and involved citizens who advance society. The Pakistani educational system is having a difficult time fulfilling this moral goal, though.

With a population of over 220 million, Pakistan is a developing nation in South Asia. Primary, middle, high, and tertiary education are the four levels that make up Pakistan’s educational system. Pakistan continues to face a number of difficulties in providing its inhabitants with a high-quality education, despite years of major investments in this area.

Numerous issues, including poor educational quality, limited access to school, insufficient money, and corruption hamper Pakistan’s educational system. With an estimated 22.8 million children not attending school, Pakistan has the second-highest number of out-of-school children in the world. With a high dropout rate, low literacy rates, and inadequate facilities and resources, education is also of poor quality.

The lack of access to education is one of the biggest problems affecting Pakistan’s educational system. In Pakistan, the adult literacy rate is barely 63%, and the rates for women and girls are significantly lower. Due to gender discrimination, cultural obstacles, and a lack of access to education, many children in Pakistan are unable to attend school. People, communities, and the nation as a whole suffer grave consequences as a result of this lack of access to education.

The quality of instruction is yet another problem for Pakistan’s educational system. Basic amenities including electricity, potable water, and decent sanitary facilities are absent from many Pakistani schools. The curriculum is out-of-date and does not adequately educate students for the difficulties of the contemporary world. The education system in Pakistan is also plagued by a lack of qualified teachers, as many of them lack the knowledge and experience required to instruct students successfully.

In Pakistan, the education system is additionally plagued by a shortage of financing. The Pakistani government continues to devote only a small portion of its budget to education, despite years of significant investments in the field. The quality of education and the schools’ capacity to offer suitable facilities and resources are seriously hampered by this lack of investment.

It is obvious that the Pakistani educational system is failing to serve its moral goal in light of these difficulties. The education system in Pakistan is failing to give many of its inhabitants even the most basic access to education, rather than empowering people to become accountable, moral, and active citizens who contribute to the common good. For people, communities, and the nation as a whole, this lack of access to education has major ramifications.

The absence of emphasis on educational principles is one factor contributing to this failure. In order for pupils to develop a sense of morality, ethics, and social responsibility, values are a crucial part of education. However, rather than emphasizing the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, Pakistan’s educational system places a heavy emphasis on rote learning and fact memorising.

The Pakistani government must prioritize education in order to address these issues. This necessitates considerable financial and regulatory reforms in the educational system. To remove the cultural barriers and gender discrimination that keep many children, especially girls, from accessing education, the Pakistani government must collaborate with local communities and civil society organisations.

A modern, pertinent curriculum that equips pupils for the difficulties of the contemporary world must also be provided by Pakistan’s educational system. The development of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities is also necessary for this. STEM education must be prioritized. In order to properly teach their students, teachers in Pakistan’s educational system must receive adequate training and certification.

Last but not least, the Pakistani government must make sure that everyone has access to education, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This calls for an emphasis on inclusive educational policies that offer assistance to students from underprivileged homes and ensure they have the tools necessary to succeed in school.

To sum up, education is a fundamental human right and a major force in the advancement of society in all spheres—political, economic, and social. The moral goal of education is to prepare people to be moral, civic-minded, and involved citizens who advance society. The Pakistani educational system is struggling to fulfill this moral goal. The Pakistani government must prioritize education and invest in programmes that guarantee all-inclusive access to education in order to overcome these issues. Pakistan can then achieve education’s moral goal.

Eeman Rashid is a student of Government and Public Policy. Her interests focus on identifying public policy improvements and devising effective strategies for effectual implementation. 

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SAKHRI Mohamed

I hold a bachelor's degree in political science and international relations as well as a Master's degree in international security studies, alongside a passion for web development. During my studies, I gained a strong understanding of key political concepts, theories in international relations, security and strategic studies, as well as the tools and research methods used in these fields.

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