The private sector played major part in education even before the creation of Pakistan. Many institutions were owned by Christians and also some Muslims. Such institutions were run by voluntary organizations. They generated their funds through fees, donations and also they received grand in aid from the government as well. But downfall of private sector started in Bhutto’s era when he decided to nationalize the all the private institutes. This was a huge setback for private sector. All of this resulted in lowering of educational standards because there was a lack of funds to maintain the standard of education.
According to stats “19,432 private institutes were nationalized. The included 18,926 schools 155 colleges 346 madaras and 5 technical institutes” At that time these institutions represented sizeable portion of total educational system. As the result of this nationalization policy all the investment in private sector stopped. Even after the revision of this policy in 1979 major portion of investment was reluctant to invest till early nineteen nineties.
After that government started denationalizing these institutions and returning back to their owners with a promise that it will not be taken up again. But after early nineteen nineties they started invested again in private sector but this time policies of the government was not that suitable for private institution as the result private education became more expensive and many people of the country cannot afford private education.
The government started some initiatives by establishing National education foundation, Punjab education foundation, Sindh education foundation, Frontier education foundation and Balochistan education in 1990 and 1994 with an objective of encouraging and facilitating private sector participation.
In 2001 government came up with a plan of Public private partnership in education which is quite popular in the developed countries. It was a 5 year plan for the enhancement of the good and quality education by government forming partnership with private institutions for the better future of our country.
But unfortunately in Pakistan it is the right for the children of rich people. Because the public sector has failed completely in providing the quality education to the people. As we know that more 70 percent of our population is deprived of good and quality education. The definition of being literate in Pakistan is to write or read his/her name. I don’t think that it should be the criteria of being literate. But unfortunately many of our public institutes follow these criteria. The basic need for us is that we must find such formula which helps in providing good and effective education to all. We have to find such a way that where we can provide good education to a poor at cheaper rates.
Syed Abdul Basit
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