By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
TALKING to a Dawn panel several years ago, Asghar Ali Engineer, head of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai, had commented that every communal riot in India that he had investigated was found to be rooted in economic factors.
Continue reading Gojra and education
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
IN its recently released State of Human Rights 2008 report the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has devoted considerable space — the most number of pages — to the education sector in the country.
It is not a coincidence that the most backward, underprivileged and impoverished people who are denied their basic rights also happen to be illiterate and uneducated.
Continue reading Education – tool for oppression
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
T is a familiar sight. Little children loaded with heavy schoolbags being forced to `acquire` knowledge. We are supposed to know best what is good for them. We may be the parents, the teachers or policymakers who set the paradigms for elementary education.
Continue reading The magic world of a child
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
EDUCATION in Pakistan is a subject people never tire of lamenting. The problem lies with the public-sector institutions, especially schools, which have fallen into a state of decay over the years. Since they cater to the needs of the majority, the crisis in education must be addressed earnestly.
Continue reading How to monitor schools
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
On Pakistan Day, the nation will be presented with a gift from the government — a new education policy. The education minister told the media the other day that the draft policy had been sent to the provincial governments for their feedback.
The assurances Mir Hazar Khan Bajarani held out amounted to offering the people the moon. Hence disappointment may be in store.
Continue reading Education policy, will it work?