Pakistan is a progressive country, but the Higher Education sector of Pakistan is dealing critical situation regarding budget. The Higher Education system of Pakistan is propelling the growth of the country but due to limited budget, it is affecting the overall development including students.
The budget allocated for the Higher Education System of Pakistan is 0.22%. Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and other experts are raising alarms about investment and to take action.
The Current State of Higher Education Funding in Pakistan
Pakistan’s education sector has long faced a lack of funds, but the situation for higher education is especially bad. The federal and provincial governments are currently spending just 0.22% of the country’s total budget on universities and colleges, a number that is much lower than that of other countries.
To explain this better, only 1.4% of Pakistan’s GDP is spent on education overall, covering all education levels, and this amount is still much lower than the international standard for funding education. As Dr. Sohail Naqvi, CEO of Knowledge Streams and former Executive Director of HEC, said, “The youth of Pakistan are very talented, and this is the nation’s biggest strength. Yet, we are not giving them the tools they need for a successful future.”
Financial Problems and Governance Issues
Universities across Pakistan are facing serious financial problems. Many institutions are struggling to pay basic costs like salaries, pensions, and even electricity bills. These financial troubles are made worse by management and quality control issues, which slow down the progress of higher education.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed stressed the importance of universities holding themselves accountable. “University independence is important, but it must come with responsibility. We need to create a clear and honest system, where universities focus on improving education, not getting distracted by politics,” he said during a seminar held at Punjab University.
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The tough financial situation has caused problems throughout the education system. The lack of funding has slowed progress in many universities, resulting in poor facilities and less research. Also, the lack of clear leadership in schools, with random appointments of vice-chancellors and no clear policies, has caused confusion and weak management.
The Need for More Investment in Higher Education
To fix these problems, experts agree that the government must invest more in higher education. Only with more money can universities improve their buildings, hire top-notch teachers, and provide better learning experiences for students. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed pointed out that a major change in budget allocation is needed: “Both the federal and provincial governments must play a key role in increasing the education budget, especially for higher education.”
The Role of Working Together: Universities, Government, and Industry
Pakistan has most of its population under the age of 30, which makes that Pakistan has 65% of the youth. The power of youth is not utilized due to several issues. Due to Pakistani youth is not trained and not skilled. because there is no link between universities and industries, many students complete their graduation but there are no jobs for them.
Additionally, the people at the seminar agreed that better cooperation between lawmakers, the government, and education leaders could lead to a more effective way of managing education. This kind of partnership could help universities become more responsible, open, and, in the end, more helpful to students and the economy.
What’s at Risk?
If this problem is ignored, the future of Pakistan could be at risk. If the budget is not increased Pakistan may end up with a generation that is not ready to meet the challenges of modern job requirements. Other countries than Pakistan are investing too much in the education system, if Pakistan increases the investment it will see big rewards, technology, and social growth.
The Need for Action
The seminar participants ended with a strong message: Pakistan’s higher education system needs a complete overhaul. While universities, faculty, and students play important roles, the government must greatly increase funding and make education a central part of national development. Without a joint effort from everyone involved, Pakistan could fall behind in the global race for progress.
Conclusion:
In this world skills matters and every country is just focusing on the Education System to build better because education is more competitive. Pakistan’s estimated only 0.22% is allocated for higher education which is insufficient for a number of higher institutions. There should be a focus on developing the skills among youth and the chance to succeed in a fast-changing world.
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The future of Pakistan’s education system depends on this important investment in higher education. Time is running out, and the time for action is now.
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