March 18, 2016
News
Govt protects right to free, compulsory education
Act shows child’s right to education from class one to 10th grade, non-formal or vocational educationLAHORE – Every child has right to free and compulsory education from class one to 10th grade, non-formal or vocational education or a combination of all or any of the two as notified by the government considering the needs, capability and age of the child, according to the Punjab Free and Compulsory Education Act 2014.
Repealing the Punjab Compulsory Primary Education Act 1994, the new law states that the school going child or parents would not be liable to pay any fee or expenses for completing education in a school owned or controlled by the government or the local authority. It suggests that the government would establish a kindergarten school or childcare centre for free pre-school learning and care for children above the age of three years until they join a school.
Punjab University’s Institute of Education and Research Director Professor Dr Mumtaz Akhter said that the new law binds parents to get their children admitted to the government-run schools and help them attend until the children would complete education. “This is a good decision but authorities would have to devise a clear policy for smooth implementation of the new regulations,” she said. She suggested training for the teachers, saying there is a dire need of trained subject specialist teachers.
“We have to train teachers first for this important assignment to teach students, hailing from underprivileged families, to certain levels,” the IER director said. “We must know that only a trained teacher has abilities to put words in fresh minds of students,” she said, saying a good teacher must have strong grip on the subject besides having ample knowledge of language and the ability to attract students. She said that the government must ensure quality environment in the schools.
“Education is not just to know facts but also to learn values and confidence,” said Dr Mira Phailbus, eminent educationist and former principal of the Kinnaird College. “A major drawback in our education system is the lack of an effective teacher training mechanism,” she said. Like the Pakistan Military Academy and the Civil Services Academy, there should be a proper institution for the training of the teachers, she said. The government would have to train teachers besides taking initiative for free and compulsory education, she said.
Researcher and educationist Professor Gobind Herani suggested the government to use technology for better education system in Pakistan. The federal and the provincial governments would have to take necessary steps to improve the school system,” he said, adding the teachers – in most cases – were not going to schools due to different ‘reasons.’ He said that there was a need to introduce new trends in education.
He also said that only teacher training was not enough to improve the situation. To a question, Prof Herani said that constitutional and legal protection for free and compulsory education would have a positive impact. “We have to adopt a policy to look forward to improve our education system and we have to stop looking back in the past (mistakes),” he said. He also suggested some arrangements for free food during the school time.
Suggesting revolutionary improvement in the curriculum, educationist Professor Ashok Kumar said that the education system at school level exhibits unlimited inconsistency. He said that the government must introduce one curriculum for all students from the very beginning. “We have to remove historical and other errors and biases carefully from our curriculum,” he said. “We need quality education for all to ensure a brighter and educated Pakistan with tolerant citizens who can think rigorously,” he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk