By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
THE education sector is for once under the spotlight and is receiving some attention from the higher quarters. We should be grateful for that.
But it is not clear if the policymakers have made field trips to get a true picture of the working — or dysfunctional — state of our schools which they are trying to improve. It would help if they did. My recent visits to government schools in Orangi have been an eye-opener.
Continue reading A study in contrast
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
APRIL 23 was the World Book and Copyright Day. We have to be grateful to DawnNews for taking up the subject of books in its programme `
Bolna zaroori hai`.
The media doesn`t find books an exciting topic to discuss. Books don`t carry the same attraction as cross-border weddings of sport celebrities. Some television channels were kind enough to carry reports in their news bulletins on how Book and Copyright Day was observed.
Continue reading Libraries go out of fashion
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.— Kahlil Gibran
HOW many university teachers in Pakistan would fit this definition? Today there are over 46,000 academics in our universities and the quest for better standards in our institutions of higher education is endless.
Continue reading Homage to a teacher
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
At a time when Pakistan needs to mobilise for concerted action for positive change in our brutalised society, the discussions held recently on literature and activism and on Eqbal Ahmad`s `cross-border` writings were timely and relevant.
They were also provocative and provided food for thought, especially for those who have begun to despair at the direction the country is taking.
Continue reading Literature and activism
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
THE US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has urged wealthy Pakistanis to pay a higher share of taxes to reduce the country`s dependence on foreign aid.
She especially pointed to the health and education sectors, which, as her administration is now realising, are in very poor shape in spite of the nearly $6bn aid provided by the US to Pakistan since 9/11 for civilian projects.
Continue reading Who pays for education?