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Issue 11 February 2020

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Let Student Unions Be Or Not? That is the Question
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Let Student Unions Be Or Not? That is the Question

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Contrary to what is thought of them today, student unions were a dynamic platform for students to peacefully engage in debate and discourse over various pertinent issue. That made the youngsters of yesteryear much more tolerant than the youth of today. Shahkar Aziz makes pleads the case for student unions and why they need to come back.

On February 9th, 1984, then Martial Law administrator cum president of Pakistan General Ziaul Haq issued a ban on Student Unions throughout Pakistan. Whatever the reason behind this act was, it effectively put an end to student unions on campuses, which has continued to this day. In these 34 years or so, many attempts to revive or restore student unions have taken place – all of them facing failure.So, what are student unions? While it may seem odd to discuss a question as basic as this, it is important in that there is a general sense of confusion regarding student unions, often confused with individual student organizations. Student unions are general student bodies, elected by students, and recognized by the administration of the institute. In fact, before the ban, many universities had a student unions fund, which was provided to the elected representatives of the unions to be used for student welfare. Every major educational institute had a constitution for the working of these unions, and they were usually provided with office space within the campus. Elections were held every year, with representatives from different student organizations or even independent students taking part. Therefore, student unions were beyond individual organizations, and acted as a representative of students of all types of political or ideological affiliation. These unions then organized various academic and co-curricular activities, and also highlighted issues of students’ rights. 

Thus, with the support of the students, these unions wielded considerable political power, and were involved in various national political issues as well. While on-campus violence was cited as the cause for the ban imposed on student unions, the political power and activism of student unions was seen as a threat for authoritarian regimes, and this may have been the main reason they were banned.

 

A FORUM TO DIFFER, PEACEFULLY

Student unions provided space for both ideological and political dissent within campuses, as student unions mostly pursued a narrative that went against the power establishment. Also, student unions provided space for debate and discussion among ideological and political opponents, which would have a positive impact on the general discourse in society. One of the reasons of the intolerance that we see on all sides of the spectrum is that our youth have not had the chance to engage in meaningful debate regarding important issues.

Also, these unions provided an opportunity for students to engage in a democratic process of elections, engendering in them democratic values during their student life. In the politics of Pakistan, we see that political parties are dominated by political dynasties, or are often controlled by certain feudal and capitalist elites, who wield both power and money. As such, political parties become hostage to these interest groups, and cannot pursue their policies fully. On the other hand, student unions helped to produce political leadership that emerged from the masses, from middle-class families. If given enough time, student unions will certainly help in creating a political class that is ideologically-driven, determined, educated and open to the issues of the common man.

 

BAD PRESS

But for the past 34 years, student unions have received a lot of negative press through propaganda of all sorts, leading to much confusion. One main reason given in support of the ban is the on-campus violence that may ensue once student unions are restored. Certainly, on-campus violence was a reality in the late 70s and early 80s, when our country was in a general state of political and ideological polarization. But instead of seeking a discussion amongst stake-holders on how to solve the issue, or how to create a general framework for the working of these unions, the government decided to use this issue as a political tool, and banned student unions altogether. This is because political regimes may see student activists as a threat to their political power, as is the case in India, for example. Within India, student unions have been politically very active. In the very recent issue of the NRC and CAA legislations regarding citizenship grants, student unions have initiated a country-wide struggle against the controversial legislation of the Modi government.

 

MUFFLED VOICE 

Another reason might be the students’ protest against fee hikes in UK in 2010, for example. Pakistan, a country that is relatively ‘youngʼ in the sense that a considerable proportion of the population is in the younger age group – needs to focus and invest on this segment of society. However, our education system is in shambles. Due to the commercialization of the education sector, education has become a sort of commodity that only the financially-able consumers can afford. The administrations of educational institutions have totalitarian powers within campuses, and are usually inefficient and corrupt. Furthermore, with rising tuition fees and lack of facilities, the student community has been facing problems of all sorts. So, with the effective ban on student unions, there is no united voice or representation of students; no platform from which students can solve their issues. In fact, the ban has resulted in de-politicization of students, so as to turn them into docile subjects to be manipulated by those in power. 

What is the way forward? Recently, the issue of student unions has captured the limelight again, particularly on our electronic and social media platforms.Now is the time to think about this issue in a sincere way, and to come up with concrete solutions. We need a grand dialogue between all stakeholders, students being the most important part of the issue. The dialogue needs to focus on forming a framework, acceptable for all, through which the students can express and represent themselves, raise a voice for their problems, and effectively solve them. This framework should then be implemented throughout the country, and the ban should then immediately be lifted.Maybe history has provided us with a chance to rectify our mistakes, and to learn from them. It is up to us whether we respond to this call of history or not.

Shahkar Aziz has an MPhil is Islamic Studies and runs a chain of international schools in Peshawar. He can be reached at shahkaraziz@gmail.com

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Lessons From 27/2/2019: Linguistic Deterrence And Narrative Warfare
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Lessons From 27/2/2019: Linguistic Deterrence And Narrative Warfare

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Narrative warfare is taking an increasing role in international relations and becoming a key source of wining battles without fighting them. Haleema Khalid explains how it is being carried out and why we must use language as a weapon for intensified national security

LETTER The effective use of words and media today … is just as important as the effective use of bullets and bombs. In the end, it is no longer enough just to be strong. Now it is necessary to communicate. To win a war today, government not only has to win on the battlefield, it must also win the minds of its public,” Dr Ray Hiebert, University of Maryland, USA. Heading into the third decade of the 21st century, revolutions in the fields of technology, artificial intelligence, cybernetics and data science among others has contributed a lot to transform warfare. Perceptual warfare has become a central element and a fundamental factor of success. In the aftermath of the destruction caused during the World War I and II, warfare strategies and techniques transformed with a particular focus on the fact that if victory can be achieved without destruction, the goal should be to avoid combat. For this purpose, perceptual measures have been placed keeping in view the goal. Favorably, perceptual warfare being the non-traditional form of warfare, does not need a declaration or a direct encounter. However, it has been proved to be more lethal if counter measures are not in place. Consequently, nation states ensure population indoctrination to form a national narrative as a form of counter measure to resist hostile narrative invasion. This is done by using language in relation with multimodality as a socio-cognitive tool of warfare.

 

Weaponized Langauge

In this regard, the use of weaponized language as a linguistic deterrent by nation states can hardly be considered ‘new’, particularly after the expanding realms of digital and social media in the public domain. Evolving generations of warfare have revolutionized war gaming, which has been observed to have shifted towards streamlining a linguistic offensive to set-up the conflict zone. This has been practiced evidently in the post 9/11 global context. Hybrid and psychological warfare being its primary tools, modern warfare seems to be relying on language in general and speech acts in particular to structure and re-structure public socio-cognition for pragmo-semantic reasons. The need for its requirement lies in line with the core concept of warfare, in which illusion for winning and losing is vital for the partakers. Dependent on the receptive ability of the participants regarding an event, in the situational context, pragmo-semantics can be manipulated to achieve desired results. 

Being the nuclear flashpoint between Pakistan and India, Kashmir has always been the conflict in brewing. Since Modi-ism’s rise after the Uri incident, speech acts demonstrating ‘intention’ in addition to ‘intended target’ from the Indian office bearers have produced a specific perceptive dissonance on both sides of the border, raising regional security concerns.Considering it in line with Ole Wæver’s point of view of determining ‘security’ as a speech act, threats have been constructed following a “grammar of security”, interestingly by employing ‘security discourse construction’ based on prototypical ideals; Jihad, Muslims, and Islam, advertising them as ‘security narrative’ to materialize global response. This has been successfully countered by the ISPR in the post February 27, 2019 context by practicing linguistic deterrence to counter narrative warfare, along with befitting traditional response on ground. Hence, retaining the higher rung on the escalation ladder.

 

Linguistic Deterrence

The notion of linguistic deterrence can be comprehended in terms of language use in international relational diplomacy to discourage rival or competitive states to indulge in unwanted course of action that could disrupt peace. This can be considered a first line of defense that can be maintained formally and informally using direct and indirect channels to convey the intended message. Moreover, speech acts functioning as linguistic deterrent followed by ‘physical measures in place’ as a sign of deterrence serve to demonstrate the relationship between a signifier (pattern) and signified (concept). This relationship can be established considering Saussure’s ideas regarding signifier, signified and the sign. From this perspective signifier can be the linguistic choices formulating a pattern of speech acts; locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts; signified is the conceptualization of the speech acts in contemplation of social, economic, and political factors in particular, and sign is the objective that combines signifier and signified.

Likewise, narrative warfare involves war gaming tactics by and large established by language from the pragmo-semantic perspective, although they are intensified when mediatized and digitalized due to multimodality. This is because of the fact that socio-cognition regarding a certain process, incident or individual is constructed primarily through words that are perceived in relation to the collective social comprehensibility, which is then strengthened through digital amplification. In this way, narrative construction in narrative warfare involves linguistic, cultural, social, economic and political resources in addition to personal and collective experiences, as well as practices of target populace along with the prevailing security conditions in a specific social setting. Hence, narrative warfare is a chain of interconnected engineered beliefs generated in the info-sphere of specific social, regional or global setting which are then proliferated and made hyperbolic to influence socio-cognition.

However, the threat is to determine ‘deep-fake’ narrative constructions being injected into the info-sphere of a societal construct to relegate the impact of narrative warfare on public receptive ability. This can be done by swift mediatization and digitalization of the truth, supported by the counter evidence that not only shatters the deep-fakes, but also offers a counter narrative triggering a desired socio-cognitive response. Indian media projections of Balakot strike and ISPR’s counter response supported by digital amplification of the truth worldwide can be considered an excellent example of the process. 

 

February 27 Response

Therefore, February 27, 2019 has become historically significant for Pakistan not only because of the Operation Swift Retort, but because of wining the narrative warfare and maintaining linguistic deterrence to counter fake news propaganda. It has successfully introduced the tri-dimensional paradigm of deterrence involving language, diplomacy, and military action. These three dimensions are interconnected with three processes – reproduction product and reception – which are influenced by factors existent in the space and time of socio-sphere of a particular setting. Since, deterrence has been achieved both at operational and perceptual scale, this has established the need to consider deterrence from the applied linguistic perspective to determine the aspects of perceptual scale. It has become essential owing to the overarching transformation of warfare that primarily targets human cognition. Although the impact it carries can be positive or negative depending on the objective, national or hostile. The signs are always there to watch out for, particularly in the socio-political, socio-economic and security discourse. For instance, an initiation of hostile narrative can be determined from injecting confusion among the masses through media on the subject involving certain event by using loaded words referring ‘sources’ at a time when an official response is delayed. 

This calls for the need to consider language use in relation with the national security. This can be done by assessing the narratives we live by, keeping in view the diachronic and synchronic aspects of language use concerning the linguistic layers in a societal construct. These linguistic layers – domestic, diplomatic, and security – are categorized on the basis of functional distinctiveness of language use in general and speech acts in particular. Therefore, the role of language in perception management and narrative warfare is pivotal.

Language being the one shaping and formulating social constructions, a general overview of reality has made one thing clear – that non-traditional (unrestricted) warfare “has no rules, with nothing forbidden” as every domain, aspect and institution in a social framework is at war, as quoted in the book titled “Restricted Warfare” published in 1999For this purpose, measures need to be taken to purge the effects of socio-cognitive manipulation through language in the wider interest of national security.

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how to start freelancing
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How To Start Freelancing

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LETTER Since 2004, the freelancing industry has been flourishing in Pakistan, with the country now among the top five states that contribute the most to the global freelancing industry. Freelancing is truly a blessing in disguise for many Pakistani students, as finding a job in the already saturated Pakistani job market has become quite an arduous task. The real positive of working freelance is that workers can choose their own schedule and work from the comfort of their homes, avoiding the grind of the 9–5 routine. The freelance industry of Pakistan has shown extraordinary growth in the last five years, with Pakistan’s freelancing exports crossing $500 million per year in 2019. Companies around the globe have begun outsourcing work to Pakistanis and the latest report published by Upwork says that Pakistan will become the top destination for freelancing work in 2020. If you too plan on taking up work as a freelancer, learn how to start freelancing and consider these top platforms that will help you find work and excel in the field of freelancing.

UPWORK, how work should work

Upwork is a merger of two acclaimed online freelancing giants, Elance and oDesk. Today it has 12 million users that makes it the biggest freelancing portal in the world. Chances of getting hired are really high if you have a good profile on UPWORK, as it has a large pool of employers. It also has A+ rating on BBB (Better Business Bureau) which means it’s a legitimate website with secure payment protection system. However, it’s impossible to weed out scammers. You can get jobs and offer jobs on the platform on an hourly and fixed-rate basis. The processes like signing up, posting talents and getting clients onboard are simple and complete guidance is available on the site on how to go about finding work on the platform.

Freelancer, hire the best freelancers for any job, online.

Similar to UPWORK, Freelancer is another prodigious website for Pakistani students where they can work as independent professionals and look for work that matches their talents. You can set up to 20 skills at the time of registration and can bid on 8 projects a month with your free account. However, freelancer takes minimum 10% of your project earning as a fee but the pros are way higher than the cons. Another much-needed benefit that directly attracts Pakistani students is the easy encashment as you can get your money to your local bank account. 

Fiverr, find the perfect freelance services for your business

Founded back in 2010, Fiver is another great online freelancing website that Pakistani students can use to earn some extra cash while studying. Unlike other freelancing websites, Fiver works as an offer website normally called “Gig website”, where you can post offers such as “I will design a logo for $10” or “I will send email to 1,000 target users with design for $80”. Fiver allows you to place a gig (offer) from $5 to $1,000 and anyone who buys your gig will pay you in your Fiver account. You can withdraw your money by using your PayPal account, bank account or simply from your Fiver Revenue Card that works as MasterCard. Fiver fees are 20% of project cost, which is higher than its competitors, but Fiver is still the only place that can work as a get-rich-quick scheme for students who want flexibility in working hours.

Tips for Pakistani students to get started with freelancing:

Freelancing is quite a business among the students in developing countries like Pakistan because of limited part-time job opportunities. There is an array of other resourceful platforms available that can help Pakistani students to earn while pursuing their studies but keep these tips in mind if you don’t want to end up frustrated and annoyed. 

  • Find and portray one core skill in which you are really good
  • Set your own prices but aim for good reviews in the beginning
  • Don’t overcharge your clients, beat them by giving discounts or go some extra miles with your deliverables 
  • Define your work process and professional certifications to earn extra trust of clients 
  • Act as a problem solver and think out of the box solutions for a job to stand out from the competition
  • After winning a project, document all your needs and set milestones for yourself
  • Make yourself available for quick feedback from clients even if you are away from your work station by installing mobile app

Conclusion:

According to PTA’s latest report, Pakistan has 70 million broadband users and 69% of these users are youngsters, or we can say students. As they are equipped with basic English skills and expert level skills related to IT industry such as programming, graphic designing, content development, data entry etc., chances are high that Pakistan can achieve its goal to become the premier destination for online outsourcing work in the near future. 

Related: JazzCash, Payoneer Make Freelancing Payments A Breeze
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This is Why You Must Join A Student Society At University
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This is Why You Must Join A Student Society At University

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While they are no real substitute for fully functional student unions, student societies at universities still offer many of the goods for students that the now banned unions once offered. We tell you why you must spend some of your time at university as a functional member of a student society.

LETTER Studies will eat up most of your time while you are enrolled at a university. But it does not mean there is any shortage of co-curricular activities one can take up to develop an all-round personality. Sports is one option. And becoming part of one or numerous student unions or societies that universities nurture is another.Most universities across the world are home to thousands of such associations that represent students with a passion towards a particular cause or an activity. Debating, culture, cooking, travelling, music, adventure, arts; you name it and there’s a student society for that. The case is no different with universities in Pakistan. But even though the decision to join one will be best exercised by you per your liking, we’ll tell you why you should join one (or several) during your educational sojourn.

 

YOU’LL EXPAND YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE

Student representatives remain in constant touch with fellow students as well as teachers, administration staff and external stakeholders like sponsors etc. This turns out to be a great opportunity to not only make friends across the curricular divide, but also forge bonds with important personalities in and outside the university. Also, student representatives are often the structures that bridge the student-faculty gulf, giving them important lessons in resolution of conflicts and promotion of interests.

Debating, culture, cooking, travelling, poetry, music, adventure, arts, social service – whatever your liking is, there’s a high portability that your university will have functional club or society for that.

 

YOU’LL LEARN MORE

We are guessing you’ll join a student body with a cause that appeals to your interest. That’s okay. But what about becoming part of a cause you have no prior experience with? Well, it will be a chance to try something different and learn something new. Great at cricket? Cool. But maybe you can give debating a try as well. As Mark Twain said, in the end you’ll regret the things that you did not do more than those you did. So minimize that regret, we say, and foray into the unknown. You never know what you discover about yourself out there.

 

YOU’LL UP YOUR COMMUNICATION GAME

Being part of a public body gives students a great chance to brush up their communication skills. Rude, polite, angry, excited, moronic, melancholic; you will come across all sorts of people. And connecting with each kind in a way that best serves your club or body’s interests is a great lesson in communication skills. If done right, you will pick up important tips in the crucial arts like that of persuasion, verbal defense and promotion and marketing besides others.

Student representatives are often structures that bridge the student-faculty gulf, giving them important lessons in resolution of conflicts and promotion of interests

 

YOU’LL BECOME MORE EMPLOYABLE

Finding a job after completing your education can be difficult given the immense competition among applicants. Fortunately, taking part in co-curricular activities and taking up extra responsibilities during the time of your university will make you stand out from the crowd and more employable than your competitors. While applying for jobs, student representatives can exhibit their ‘can do’ spirit with their achievements with student unions. Your management of curricular and co-curricular responsibilities is a showcase for your organization skills, dependability and confidence. Don’t miss out on it.

Being part of a public body gives students a great chance to brush up their communication skills. Rude, polite, angry, excited, moronic, melancholic; you will come across all sorts of people

 

YOU’LL BECOME AN INFLUENCER

As part of a student club or society, you will be able to have a direct bearing on matters that affect a small or large section of the student population at your institute. You can arrange events, become part of devising policies and contribute to activities that benefit students for the better. You can also use these forums to positively shape opinions of students towards various causes. An example could be inviting fellow students to teach underprivileged children in their spare time. Small steps like these can well turn into mass movements in the future and shape the lives of hundreds of people.

YOU’LL BE LESS STRESSED

We promise there will be times during university life when you’ll hate studying, no matter how important the call for it might be. In such cases, avenues like student societies will prove a needed break from the demands and stress of studies. Managing studies and responsibilities of your student body will not only make you an effective planner, but also help you avoid burning out by mundane routine.

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PAKISTAN MEDICAL COMMISSION And Its Sustained Negative Impact On Medical & Dental Education In Pakistan
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PMC and its sustained negative impact on Medical Education

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Pakistan Medical Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the statutory regulatory authority that oversaw medical and dental colleges in Pakistan, was dissolved following a presidential ordinance on October 20, 2019. Dr Sohail argues why the body that replaces it might actually be a step backward.

LETTER On October 21, 2019, under the authority of the President of Pakistan, the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) Ordinance 2019 was promulgated. As part of this Ordinance, the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council ceased to exist and was replaced by PMC. This precipitous action was perceived by many in the health care sector as officious and perhaps implemented under the political influence of the owners of private medical schools in Pakistan; a fact substantiated by the proposed membership of PMC and the premeditated exclusion of engagement of public-sector universities in conscripting this Ordinance.

Majority of private medical and dental schools in Pakistan are “diploma mills” owned and operated as “business” units by wealthy and politically influential Pakistanis

There are numerous glaring challenges in this Ordinance that will unfortunately have a deleterious impact on the education and training of medical and dental students in Pakistan with unintended downstream consequences. Detailed below is an abridged list of observations in this Ordinance that individually and collectively are disconcerting and need urgent attention of our elected leadership in Pakistan for immediate rectification. 

RECOGNITION OF INSTITUTES

  • Extreme lowering of standards favoring recognition of sub-standard private medical and dental schools in Pakistan
    • Majority of private medical and dental schools in Pakistan are “diploma mills” owned and operated as “business” units by wealthy and politically influential Pakistanis

FACULTY INCLUSION

  • Allowing MPhil and PhD faculty to teach in relevant basic science disciplines
    • No effort has been made to date by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan to ensure the quality of the degree-awarding institution, thus eliciting a germane concern and a robust dialogue of the value of this action

ADMISSION POLICY

  • Abolishing standardized policy for admission in medical and dental colleges
    • Favors private medical and dental colleges to establish their individual policy for admission, thus potentially lowering the standards

TUTION FEE OVERSIGHT

  • Abolishing oversight of tuition structure in private medical & dental schools
    • Grave disadvantage for the students making medical and dental education unaffordable for many talented applicants

This missive must be not be viewed as a dictum against private medical and dentals schools in Pakistan. It is indubitable that some of these private institutions provide outstanding education and training to future healthcare workforce. However, what is being questioned is the rather unscrupulous process that was adopted by the task force which did not solicit any valuable advice from and/or engagement of key stakeholders in the public-sector universities of national and international repute in Pakistan. The outcome of any such overtly bigoted and perplexing process is always questionable and in large part not in the best interest of the nation. 

The abolition of oversight of tuition structure in private medical and dental schools will be a grave disadvantage for students

I request that we take a step back, reexamine our processes and engage key stakeholders in both public and private sector universities to ensure that the product of this exercise is “owned” by all involved and continues to improve the quality of medical and dental education in Pakistan…the Holy Grail of the Arthurian literature that we all aspire to achieve! 

Dr Sohail Rao is a seasoned medical professional with over three decades of experience in various academic and non-academic leadership positions in healthcare systems around the globe. He is the President & CEO of DHR Health Institute for Research & Development, DHR Health System, Texas, USA and Executive Vice President for Research and Development at DHR Health System, Texas.

Related: IHC Restores PMDC, Declares PMC Illegal
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Do VCs Want Student Unions? Yes, But Only A Part Of ‘Em
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Do VCs Want Student Unions? Yes, But Only A Part Of ‘Em

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By the look of things, everyone appears to want and wish for the restoration of student unions at universities. But many vice chancellors, the officials who will eventually be dealing with these unions if restored, have some reservations. Arsalan Haider finds out what these are and in what way do the VCs want the unions back on campus.

Letter Around the world, student unions are considered one of the key ways students can make the transition from the carefree life of teenage years at schools and colleges to becoming responsible adults. For decades, student unions have given hundreds of future leaders to the world, trained thousands in the art of debate and discourse, provided students around the world a platform raise a voice for their rights and force governments into action, and even played their part in changing the course of many nation’s histories.Despite possessing so much good in them, student unions remain banned in Pakistan since 1984. It was the military regime of Gen Ziaul Haq that slapped the ban on student unions, blaming them for politicizing campuses and engaging in violence. Since then, several student bodies and organizations exist on campuses across Pakistan, but without a legal status, authority and validation from varsity administrations.

In November last year, students under the banner of Progressive Student’s Collective held massive rallies across the country demanding rights for students, including restoration of student unions. The rallies forced the initiation of an intense debate on whether the unions should return to campuses. Several government ministers, including the prime minister himself, expressed their backing for the restoration of unions, albeit with a regulatory framework.But the furor also raised another much talked about issue regarding student unions: of whether they actually provide students a platform to present their problems or just become puppets of those who wield actual power? 

While students might be rejoicing over the thought of resurrection of unions at campuses, vice chancellors, who are responsible for maintaining discipline and running the administrative affairs of universities, seem not really happy with the idea.For this exclusive story, Academia Magazine talked to various VCs of public universities, discovering that the top varsity officials had, at best, reservations about the idea of bringing student unions back.

Good Omen

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, the VC at University of Sargodha, opined that restoring student unions with a firm code of conduct would, of course, be a good step for the country. “Student unions will provide more opportunities to students for critical dialogue, thereby acting as a nursery for national leadership”.He said Pakistan was currently facing a leadership crisis at various levels. “Hence, we must nurture opportunities that pave the way for the emergence of a dynamic and productive leadership from amongst university youth.”But in the same breath, Dr Ishtiaq warned that things could also get out of hand. “Keeping in view Pakistan’s political culture and sociocultural situation, restoration of student unions will definitely disturb the peaceful academic environment of universities,” VC said. He said the prime reason was the involvement of external political parties in student unions at universities. “Then, there are regional and religious groups that get engaged in into campus politics.” 

Student unions will provide more opportunities to students for critical dialogue, thereby acting as a nursery for national leadership, University of Sargodha VC Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad

Dr Ishtiaq observed that unfortunately, many “non-student” elements that had nothing to do with academics dominated student politics in universities and students get exploited for their ulterior motives. “As a result, violence creeps into campuses and the overall environment at universities becomes fraught with terror, fear, exploitation and torture. Restoration of unions without working out a sustainable code of conduct will be detrimental to peaceful environment at universities,” he added. The VC said restoration of unions should be gradual and there must be a code of conduct for these bodies. “Most importantly, unions must be totally isolated from external mainstream politics,” he said.

Dr Niaz Ahmad currently mans the top slot at the University of the Punjab, the country’s largest and oldest seat of learning. In his brief comment on the issue, Dr Niaz said PU would toe the government’s line. “If the government decides to allow elections for electing students unions, PU will also hold elections.”

 

New Avenues

National College of Arts (NCA) Principal Dr Murtaza Jaffari also believes that there is nothing wrong in restoring unions at university campuses. However, he said the government must also maximize sports activities, open debates on various issues, conduct seminars, discussions, and workshops on national and international issues. “Other forums should also be made available to engage students in order that they keep away from political activities.”

There is nothing wrong in restoring unions at varsities, but other forums should also be made available to engage students so that they keep away from political activities, NCA Principal Dr Murtaza Jaffar

Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) former chairman Professor Dr Nizamuddin was of the view that student unions were very active in Pakistan in the 1960s and “I was also part of unions at that time”. “There is no doubt that politics was involved in the union culture and all political parties had their own student wings. Student leaders were also exploited and misused by all political parties for their own interests,” he added.Dr Nizam said times had changed drastically over the years and the environment of universities was entirely different in present times. “If someone wants to restore student unions in universities and colleges, then there is a dire need to set up a mechanism to keep politics and political parties away from these unions.”

PHEC former chairman Professor Dr Nizamuddin says there is a dire need to set up a mechanism to keep politics and political parties away from student unions

 

Takeaway

Human societies have evolved only because they eventually agreed to stick to certain rules of civility for the common good of the species. Just like every human being has his or her pros and cons, students unions have both advantages and disadvantages. It is also true that in Pakistan’s case, the majority of positives that the unions ever possessed were overshadowed by the violence that was fed into them by forces that exploited them for their own vested interests.The right to associate is a basic democratic right of every citizen. And a regulatory framework/mechanism ensures that that right is protected from powers that aim to use it for their own gains, either through fear, wealth or force. The VCs might be hinting at similar reservations when they talk of framework and regulation of student unions to keep political forces at bay. But with the power to make those laws and working rules resting squarely with the political leadership, it is unlikely that politics ever remain out of student-union equation.

Additional commentary by Azam Mahmood

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Pakistan-US Ties: Education Can, What Politics Cannot
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Pakistan-US Ties: Education Can, What Politics Cannot

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Pakistan’s relationship with the United States has long been called a marriage of inconvenience, mainly because of the enormous political overhang the ties have been under over the decades. For many young Pakistanis, the US remains a shining citadel of knowledge, progress and education. But can an improved educational cooperation and an equality-based student exchange program become a source of better ties between Pakistan and the US? Aisha Saeed gives her take.

Sabika Sheikh, a Pakistani girl from Karachi, was one of the many students who were attending a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, when a rogue shooter ended her and nine other students’ lives in an incident that left Americans dum founded.But not still know why Sabika, a Pakistani, was in the US in the first place. Well, she was a on a State Department-sponsored youth exchange and study program.Just like Sabkia did, a number of students from Pakistan avail various scholarship programs and self-financed educational opportunities in the US at various levels of education. Although a number of Pakistani students now look to other destinations to pursue their higher education dreams, the US still remains a priority for many- at least for those who can manage to secure a scholarship.3

 

 

Although a number of Pakistani students now look to other destinations to pursue higher education, the US still remains a priority for many

 

 

Last year, the Trump administration announced that it would increase educational opportunities for students in Pakistan. The announcement came following a thaw in US-Pak relations after President Donald Trump warmed up to Prime Minister Imran Khan. Under the US civilian assistance to Pakistan, people-to-people exchange through education aims at aiding Pakistan become a self-sufficient country. For a developing country like Pakistan, education means everything. But for Pakistan and US as a whole, it could well be that base for a renewed, strengthen relationship.

 

Education As a Band-Aid:

An article published by Daniel F Runde in The Hill titled “Without Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US need a new basis for relationship”, suggests that “education is also key to reframing the relationship. Student exchange programs are beneficial in improving relations between countries. In 2016, the last year for which we could find numbers, there was an 8.5 percent increase in the number of Pakistani students studying in the United States — which is still just 11,000 Pakistani students. That is half of the 22,000 Pakistani students studying in China.”

Given the popularity of the master’s and doctoral Fulbright scholarship program among Pakistani students, it is rather surprising that not many attempt to be part of the USEFP’s undergrad exchange program, the Global UGRAD

Ever since China imitated the CPEC project with Pakistan, it has begun offering academic scholarship opportunities to students in subjects other than medical and engineering sciences. This has certainly lowered the number of Pakistani students aiming for a place in US universities. Still, according to various figures, an estimated 7,900 Pakistani students are enrolled in various universities across the US. That is an encouraging number, given the oft occurring political uneasiness and strict visa regime maintained by the US.

The USEFP

To assist the educational aspirations of Pakistani students, many organizations in public and private sphere are operating to strengthen educational cooperation between Pakistan and the US. The most notable of these organizations is the United States Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), which facilitates in semester exchange programs and scholarships for graduate and doctoral degrees. Given the popularity of the master’s and doctoral Fulbright scholarship program among Pakistani students, it is rather surprising that not many Pakistani students attempt to be part of the USEFP’s undergrad exchange scholarship program, dubbed the Global UGRAD. It is not a complete scholarship program for undergrad studies in the US, but a semester exchange program that aims at offering a taste of international academic setting and education students enrolled in various universities in Pakistan

Given the popularity of the master’s and doctoral Fulbright scholarship program among Pakistani students, it is rather surprising that not many attempt to be part of the USEFP’s undergrad exchange program, the Global UGRAD 

As claimed by the organization, “USEFP’s mission for over 70 years of its existence in Pakistan has been to build mutual understanding between the people of Pakistan and the people of the United States through educational exchange. Ours is a bi-national commission guided by a board composed of both Americans and Pakistanis. The Fulbright and other merit-based exchange programs build people-to-people ties as well as contributing to the economic and social development of Pakistan. The exchange programs sponsored by the US Department of State provide Pakistanis opportunities to represent their country in the United States and enable Americans to learn more about this country.”

This year, 98 Pakistani students managed to secure USEFP’s Global Undergraduate Semester Exchange opportunity. Students who are currently enrolled in Pakistani universities in an undergraduate degree are sent on a semester (6 months) exchange in an institution in the US. The students not only gain exposure to the US’ academic culture, study subjects related to their degree, but also develop an important cultural link between the two countries. The exchange program covers the living and tuition fee of the students and places them with host families. Hence, the applicants must have more than just good grades. The selection criteria set a high bar that only a few are able to attain. 

In a discussion with Academia Magazine, USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar told us a bit more about how students are shortlisted for the exchange. “Other than the mentioned criteria, we also look for leadership qualities in an applicant along with how they plan to use their experiences from their exchange journey for the development of their local communities. We hope they will return to be active members of the Pakistan US Alumni Network (PUAN) which supports community service efforts of alumni,” Rita explained.  She said the USEFP encouraged everyone interested in higher education to “consider the United States as a destination, whether on a USEFP-managed scholarship program such as Fulbright and Global UGRAD or by applying directly with the assistance of our EducationUSA centers. Pakistani students who study in the United States are well prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the global economy. Studying abroad also strengthens ties and fosters friendship among students from different countries”.

A One Way Street?

The number of applicants to the UGRAD and Fulbright programs is increasing by the year, but what has been seen missing over the years from the equation is the “mutual” part. While the number of Pakistani students heading to the US to understand how things are in the “land of opportunities” has been on the up, there is hardly a sizeable number of US high school, undergrad or grad students currently in institutions of Pakistan benefiting from the opportunity.

While the number of Pakistani students heading to US for studies on various cultural exchanges has gone up, there is hardly a sizeable number of US high school, undergrad or grad students currently in institutions of Pakistan

Pakistan has long battled to present itself as a safe destination to visit and reside, but despite finally having becoming one after years of battling terror, foreigners remain reluctant to admit that the country has become as safe as it should be.The USEFP says that more than 900 American scholars have been visiting Pakistan. But the exchange of American undergraduate students in Pakistani universities is non-existent. Especially when Pakistan has decent institutions like Lahore’s Forman Christian College University, IBA Karachi, Aga Khan University and Habib University that offer education at par with institutions in the US.

If the aim of the exchange program is to develop mutual understanding and to people-to people relations, it should not be a one way street. Young American students must also be encouraged to explore Pakistan and interact with its younger population who is enrolling in universities by the thousands each year, so that the stereotype image of Pakistanis in the mind of most Americans is put to a test. Despite the tragedy that struck that ill-fated high school in Texas in which Sabika fell and the recurrent shooting incidents in schools across the US, Pakistanis do not see the US in its entirety as a troubled society or state.Influential organizations like USEFP must step up efforts to bring more and more US students for exchange programs in Pakistani institutes to truly make Americans understand that the country is way more than what the media tells you to believe. It is only then that we can truly attain equilibrium in the equation that is people-to-people relationship.

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E Magazine

Do VCs Want Student Unions? Yes, But Only A Part Of ‘Em

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By the look of things, everyone appears to want and wish for the restoration of student unions at universities. But many vice chancellors, the officials who will eventually be dealing with these unions if restored, have some reservations. Arsalan Haider finds out what these are and in what way do the VCs want the unions back on campus.

Around the world, student unions are considered one of the key ways students can make the transition from the carefree life of teenage years at schools and colleges to becoming responsible adults. For decades, student unions have given hundreds of future leaders to the world, trained thousands in the art of debate and discourse, provided students around the world a platform raise a voice for their rights and force governments into action, and even played their part in changing the course of many nation’s histories.Despite possessing so much good in them, student unions remain banned in Pakistan since 1984. It was the military regime of Gen Ziaul Haq that slapped the ban on student unions, blaming them for politicizing campuses and engaging in violence. Since then, several student bodies and organizations exist on campuses across Pakistan, but without a legal status, authority and validation from varsity administrations.

In November last year, students under the banner of Progressive Student’s Collective held massive rallies across the country demanding rights for students, including restoration of student unions. The rallies forced the initiation of an intense debate on whether the unions should return to campuses. Several government ministers, including the prime minister himself, expressed their backing for the restoration of unions, albeit with a regulatory framework.But the furor also raised another much talked about issue regarding student unions: of whether they actually provide students a platform to present their problems or just become puppets of those who wield actual power? 

While students might be rejoicing over the thought of resurrection of unions at campuses, vice chancellors, who are responsible for maintaining discipline and running the administrative affairs of universities, seem not really happy with the idea.For this exclusive story, Academia Magazine talked to various VCs of public universities, discovering that the top varsity officials had, at best, reservations about the idea of bringing student unions back.

Good Omen

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, the VC at University of Sargodha, opined that restoring student unions with a firm code of conduct would, of course, be a good step for the country. “Student unions will provide more opportunities to students for critical dialogue, thereby acting as a nursery for national leadership”.He said Pakistan was currently facing a leadership crisis at various levels. “Hence, we must nurture opportunities that pave the way for the emergence of a dynamic and productive leadership from amongst university youth.”But in the same breath, Dr Ishtiaq warned that things could also get out of hand. “Keeping in view Pakistan’s political culture and sociocultural situation, restoration of student unions will definitely disturb the peaceful academic environment of universities,” VC said. He said the prime reason was the involvement of external political parties in student unions at universities. “Then, there are regional and religious groups that get engaged in into campus politics.” 

 

Dr Ishtiaq observed that unfortunately, many “non-student” elements that had nothing to do with academics dominated student politics in universities and students get exploited for their ulterior motives. “As a result, violence creeps into campuses and the overall environment at universities becomes fraught with terror, fear, exploitation and torture. Restoration of unions without working out a sustainable code of conduct will be detrimental to peaceful environment at universities,” he added. The VC said restoration of unions should be gradual and there must be a code of conduct for these bodies. “Most importantly, unions must be totally isolated from external mainstream politics,” he said.

Dr Niaz Ahmad currently mans the top slot at the University of the Punjab, the country’s largest and oldest seat of learning. In his brief comment on the issue, Dr Niaz said PU would toe the government’s line. “If the government decides to allow elections for electing students unions, PU will also hold elections.”

 

New Avenues

National College of Arts (NCA) Principal Dr Murtaza Jaffari also believes that there is nothing wrong in restoring unions at university campuses. However, he said the government must also maximize sports activities, open debates on various issues, conduct seminars, discussions, and workshops on national and international issues. “Other forums should also be made available to engage students in order that they keep away from political activities.”Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) former chairman Professor Dr Nizamuddin was of the view that student unions were very active in Pakistan in the 1960s and “I was also part of unions at that time”. “There is no doubt that politics was involved in the union culture and all political parties had their own student wings. Student leaders were also exploited and misused by all political parties for their own interests,” he added.

Dr Nizam said times had changed drastically over the years and the environment of universities was entirely different in present times. “If someone wants to restore student unions in universities and colleges, then there is a dire need to set up a mechanism to keep politics and political parties away from these unions.”

 

Takeaway

Human societies have evolved only because they eventually agreed to stick to certain rules of civility for the common good of the species. Just like every human being has his or her pros and cons, students unions have both advantages and disadvantages. It is also true that in Pakistan’s case, the majority of positives that the unions ever possessed were overshadowed by the violence that was fed into them by forces that exploited them for their own vested interests.The right to associate is a basic democratic right of every citizen. And a regulatory framework/mechanism ensures that that right is protected from powers that aim to use it for their own gains, either through fear, wealth or force. 

The VCs might be hinting at similar reservations when they talk of framework and regulation of student unions to keep political forces at bay. But with the power to make those laws and working rules resting squarely with the political leadership, it is unlikely that politics ever remain out of student-union equation.

Additional commentary by Azam Mahmood

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Doctors-In-Law: The Case of Pakistan’s Missing Female Doctors
E Magazine

Doctors-In-Law: The Case of Pakistan’s Missing Female Doctors

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Almost half of females who graduate as doctors from public universities end up not practicing the profession. Instab Sahi finds out why that is so and what can we all do to make the stats a little more bearable

LETTER Pakistani female doctors are often at the receiving end of unwarranted criticism for often not practicing medicine upon graduation. However, no one is willing to understand why most young, enthusiastic females end up sitting at home after attaining medical degrees from prestigious public institutions across the country.The case of female retention in the medical profession is a thinly veiled issue. Even though most Pakistanis are aware of the reasons behind female doctors abandoning their professional careers, no one seems interested in resolving the problem. Moreover, the focus often, as with any profoundly patriarchal society, is to blame females for wasting government resources by recanting the novel Hippocratic Oath of serving the ones in need.

Albeit, several factors are affecting the doctor-patient ratio in the homeland nonetheless, with a recent observation revealing that over 50 percent of the young female doctors do not practice after graduation, adding to the existing dearth of doctors.At present, females account for 70 percent of the total student population in medical colleges of Pakistan. Unfortunately, only 50 percent of them end up becoming practicing professionals. The non-practicing female doctors are, therefore, believed to be the cause of the overall shortage of doctors in local hospitals.

At present, females account for 70 percent of the total student population in medical colleges of Pakistan. Unfortunately, only 50 percent of them end up becoming practicing professionals

Getting into a public medical college in Pakistan is no easy feat. Every year, hundreds of thousands flock to medical college admission tests across the country in hope of getting a placement. However, the process of becoming a doctor begins years before the actual induction of a student in one of the few public medical colleges.However, the rising number of applicants does not denote an equal rise in the number of doctors in service. Pakistan continues to suffer from an acute shortage of medical practitioners needed to serve over 200 million Pakistanis. Although the burden is laid squarely on shoulders of female doctors, there is an equally pressing issue of male doctors leaving the country in hopes of better career prospects. America, for instance, has close to 30 percent foreign doctor population in its workforce and about 25 percent of those doctors belong to either Pakistan or India.“We prefer blaming female doctors for not practicing but have no qualms letting the males off the hook,” Dr Farzana Nazir, former MPA, told Academia Magazine. “Many male doctors also leave practice, but do you ever see people questioning why they do not to serve the profession?” she asked inquiringly.

A Doctor For A Wife

As he scribbled signatures on documents laid out in front of him, University of Health Sciences VC Dr Javed Akram told Academia Magazine that people in our society seemed to think of female doctors as “marriage worthy”. And since marriage takes precedence over professional achievement in the cultural context of Pakistan, it is no surprise that most girls give up reputed medical careers once they get married.“We want a doctor bahu (daughter-in-law) so that she can monitor the temperature and blood pressure of people in the in-laws if need be,” he said with a distinct sarcastic flavor to his words.

University of Health Sciences VC Dr Javed Akram believes people in our society seem to think of female doctors as “marriage worthy”

There is no doubt that in Pakistan, the prevalent opinion is that parents send their daughters to medical colleges because they want them to find “suitable” partners in marriage. The belief is reiterated every time someone mentions how they are looking to find a “doctor-wife” for their son. Popular opinion continues to create challenges for young doctors who do want to pursue a career and fulfill their duties as responsible medical practitioners.

“As soon as students get admitted, we initiate a counseling process to make them realize that the field they have chosen requires them to act responsibly and serve humanity,” said Dr Shireen Khawar, the pro VC at Fatima Jinnah Medical College University.“We (females) don’t become doctors to not practice; if someone is being forced out of a profession, they cannot be equated with someone purposefully leaving a field,” she told Academia Magazine. It is clear that most female doctors do not want-out, but family pressure often leads them to give up on their dreams.

Dr Anila, a medical officer at Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore explained how marriage was not simply a responsibility but more of a liability when it came to a woman’s career. She told Academia that as working women started raising families, it became even more difficult for them to juggle two ‘full-time jobs’.

Girls Shining

The dilemma is real. In public medical colleges, students spend only a fraction of what it takes to graduate from a private medical college. Therefore, when a student after having benefitted from public funding decides to forego practice, the capital investment turns to waste. According to Dr Javed Akram, “It takes around Rs 7 million to educate a doctor in government-funded colleges.” The amount may sound ridiculously high, but when compared to the fee charged by private institutions the number seems quite reasonable.

FJMCU Pro VC Dr Shireen says you cannot deny women the chance of studying in public colleges if they are making the merit

All public medical colleges have 50-50 quota for males and females, however, more females secure seats because of their own abilities. “You cannot deny women the chance of studying in public colleges if they are making the merit,” FJMCU Pro VC Dr Shireen added.To get on the merit-list of a public medical college is nothing short of achieving the pinnacle of success. Every year at least 100,000 applications pour through the mailboxes of public med-schools and only 10% receive acceptance. If more than five of every 10 acceptances are females, it is enough indication of the fact that women deserve to remain in the field, putting their learning to good use.

Dr Javed Akram said just the UHS tested some 150,000 students each year and only about 7,000 students got enrolled. According to Dr Akram, if women secure more seats in fiercely contested examination, it goes on to show how deserving they are of remaining associated with a profession they work relentlessly to become active members of. 

Legislation For Leavers?

One way of resolving the pressing problem of doctors fleeing service (male and female) would be getting them to sign binding contracts. Every student who gets admission to a medical college on general seat should be bound to work in the government or private sector for some time after graduation. And those who wish to either abandon the profession altogether or go abroad should have to pay the amount of subsidy paid by the government for their education.

“A good way of retaining female doctors in the system would be through legislation. Doctors can be made to sign affidavits. When they’ll be bound by law to serve, no one can force them to leave the profession,” said Dr Amir Bandesha, an experienced cardiologist and ex-member of the executive committee of former PMDC.Dr Shireen also seconded the idea. “Getting medical students to sign affidavits would be a good way of ensuring that they practice.”Interestingly, there is no existing legislation on the matter and legislators themselves reluctant to offer a comment, therefore, none of their take could be included in the report.While legislation on many matters is long-overdue, however, the real need of the hour is an ideological change. Parents need to understand that doctor-daughters are worth way more than what the “marriage-business” suggests they are.“We are trying to bring parents in the loop as well. Whenever a new batch is inducted we host a dinner-cum-counseling session,”

A good way of retaining female doctors in the system would be through legislation, believes Dr Amir Bandesha

Dr Shireen confided in us.“The trends are changing. In earlier days, it was common for young doctors to not practice but today the girls are more aware. They know the significance of their contributions in the society”, Dr Shireen added.Another way of solving the continued issue of female doctors’ retention would be overturning traditional social beliefs and making structural changes alongside. “Facilitating female doctors would be a step in the right direction. Legislation is a tedious process but making sure that every hospital has a daycare center is very achievable,” suggests fomer MPA Dr Farzana. 

She believes, at present the shortage of female doctors can be reduced by resolving immediate issues. In Pakistan, motherhood, more than marriage, hands the decisive blow in deciding the course of a woman’s career. Therefore, it is imperative that there are proper daycare facilities in hospitals for young mothers. This way, a doctor has less to worry and she can easily work and payback the system that funded her education. On surface it would appear that Pakistani females are excelling in the medical field. The reason being a continued increase in number of females attending med-school. However, the number is more of a false-positive. Women are undoubtedly, attending medical colleges but since more than half of them do not get to work, their education becomes meaningless. 

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Gender Equality Report, 2018 places Pakistan at the lowest rung of gender equality index. This means that gender disparity is rampantly visibly in the countries socio-economic sphere. The report revealed that while on one hand Pakistan had made improvement in provision of higher education to women, the country continued to lag behind the rest of the world when it came to the number of women in workplace, especially, at managerial positions. This further proves the point that a country’s well-being suffers when the general mindset does not support female inclusion in the workforce. Today more women are working towards financial independence, however, many socio-cultural factors continue to hamper their way to success. 

Becoming a doctor is a sign of prestige in Pakistan, but hanging a degree on the wall is not enough. Female doctors deserve to remain associated with the profession for their sake and the country’s sake. Policymakers and the general public need to look inwards and find a workable solution. Without incisive policy-making, female doctors will continue forsaking their duties and continue to bear the blame burden any time someone talks of shortage of doctors in Pakistan. 

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Why Buying Books Is Breaking The Bank?
Issue 11 February 2020

Why Buying Books Is Breaking The Bank?

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Just like most things, the prices of books has gone through the roof in the past year-and-a-half. This has made education an even harder challenge for Pakistanis. Faizan Warraich investigates why the prices have gone up and what the stakeholders think should now happen.

LETTER The last one year has been a tumultuous one for Pakistanis, with the continuously rising prices of essential commodities making it increasingly difficult to make expenses in equality with income. He effects of price hike have crept into the education sector as well, with text books and stationery items also seeing an unprecedented increase in quoted prices.Akhter Ali, 42, is the owner of College Book Depot, one of oldest book stores in Lahore’s famous Urdu Bazaar that is without doubt the country’s largest booksellers’ market. “We are running from pillar to post to make sales go up, but all in vain. The number of customers has fallen to an all-time low in recent months. We are living in difficult times,” Akhtar said while talking to Academia Magazine.However, he was still optimistic about the future of publishing industry in Pakistan. “If publishers sit together and chalk out a strategy to get out of this situation, the business of books would thrive once again, I guess. No nation can make progress without education and I believe the government will take notice of the situation and come to the publishing industry’s rescue,” he was of the view.

Books prices have seen an average increase of between 40 to 50 percent in the past one-and-a-half years and leading publishers expect the government to offer a tax subsidy on paper

The high inflation has affected the publishing industry badly. Books prices have seen an average increase of between 40 to 50 percent in the past one-and-a-half years. Leading personalities of the publishing industry expect the government to offer a tax subsidy on paper so that the market may stabilize and the price spiral be controlled. In discussions with leading publishers, educationist, activists and parents to conduct an in-depth analysis of the book-price-hike issue, Academia Magazine found that most stakeholders had the government to blame. 

 

Check, Mate

Anjuman-e-Tajiran Urdu Bazaar President Khalid Pervaiz told Academia Magazine that the “system was not working”. “There are no checks and balances on our industry. In just one year, inflation has run riot with our industry. At least a 33 percent hike has been observed in the prices of notebooks and books,” he said.“These statistics are just the tip of the iceberg of the crisis and uncertainty our industry has been facing. There has been a 33 percent flat increase in prices of stationery items, including pencils, erasers, sharpeners, geometry boxes etc. The list of items affected is endless,” said Perviaz, who has been leading the traders union in Urdu Bazaar for the past four years. 

The number of customers has fallen to an all-time low in recent months. We are living in difficult times, says Akhter Ali, owner of one of oldest book stores in Lahore’s Urdu Bazaar

He said while holding a book in his hand, “This is not just a book. It is a story of hard labor, printing process and the precise use of ink, glue and paper. Sadly, we traders see no ray of hope in the times ahead.”“The core issue is certainly the absence of a comprehensive policy for our industry. At present, education is becoming difficult and very unaffordable. As far as I think, the foremost thing that needs addressing is the corruption in Punjab Text Book Board. If merit prevails and deserving people get permission to import paper on cheaper rates to print quality books, things will get better. The problem is that incompetent people in the government have no idea of how to run the most important industry in our country,” he claimed.

 

Rhetoric?

Punjab Human Rights Minister Ejaz Alam told Academia Magazine that free education was the right of all students and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led provincial government had taken notable steps to create an environment where all students received education.“Book price hike is a scenario where students may face difficulty in buying expensive books. The PTI government believes in facilitating students to get them educated and be a productive part of society,” he added. But Punjab Non-Formal Basic Education Minister Raja Rashid Hafeez explained the positives of his department, as it was providing free of cost education, including course books, helping books, drawing books and stationery items to students.

Anjuman-e-Tajiran Urdu Bazaar President Khalid Pervaiz says the system is not working. There are no checks and balances on the industry

He said in times when families had to allocate a separate budget for their children’s education, the Non-Formal Basic Education Department was providing free education to the underprivileged students, including laborers’ children, gypsy children and even the transgender community.Just like the other ministers, Punjab Women Development Department Minister Ashifa Riaz Fatiyana also could not explain the reasons behind the price hike, but did stress on the importance of women’s education for the promotion and prosperity of our society.“When a woman gets education then she later becomes a source of inspiration for her children also,” she said. The minister said multiple projects were being executed for the promotion of education among women and free of cost education was one such initiative of Women Development Department.

 

Challenges

Commenting on issue of price hike of books, Idara Teleem-o-Agahi CEO Baela Raza Jamil said, “The problem of books price hike is not be evaluated alone. There are multiple other elements involved. The white-collar class or middle class in urban areas enroll their children in private schools for better education but the prices of school bags, books, stationery and food canteens take the expenses to new heights. Around 30 to 40 percent of the disposable income of any middle class family goes to education, children’s uniforms, school fees, stationery and pocket money. With increased prices of all these items, children and their parents are equally suffering.”

Helping books, extra coaching burden have taken up the educational cost for parents The world is going paperless and moving to latest gadgets, says Kashif Mirza, president of All Pakistan Private Schools Association

Baela said one of most important aspects “that no one is really talking is about is the psychological impact on children of not being able to buy expensive books, stationery items due to limited budgets of their parents and the immense peer pressure they face for the same. It also raises mental health challenges for children and they start feeling alienated from their friends and the society”. “The list goes on,” she added, “as private coaching and tuitions also put extra burden on parents. The outcome from the current situation is that the government should come up with a way out for the publishing industry and businesses related to it. The government can show what is important and less important for it by subsidizing and facilitating the industry”.Noted Educationist Arfa Syeda Zahra was of the view that when “the whole system is not working properly and when poor are not getting enough food to eat, making cosmetic policies for publishers in order to provide relief to the students is irrelevant. The whole system is not on the path towards progress”.

Failure

All Pakistan Private Schools Association President Kashif Mirza said unfortunately the education system was failing as a whole, and ‘the system’ had been waging a war of “number game” on students.“Students are under immense stress and instead of guiding them on good behavior and morals to be good human beings, all we are focused on is numbers, just numbers,” he stressed.“Helping books, extra coaching burden have taken up the educational cost for parents. We should learn from Sweden, Finland, UK and Japan who are gradually doing away with ‘examophobia’ and focusing on field experience,” Mirza added. “In Finland, only 20 hours a week is allowed on books and rest of the time is based on assignments. We are a country where 2,500 PhDs are jobless. We need revolutionary steps and just do not need to produce a bookish generation.”“The slogan of uniform education system is a kind of delusion by the government. The international recognition of weight of the books is 1/10th. For example, if a student’s weight is 25kg then he or she should not carry a bag of more than 2.5kg, but we have seen heavy bags even in preschool. The world is going paperless and moving to latest gadgets. The Punjab Textbook Board has no will and they are working on mere slogans. They should come up with comprehensive policy to lower down the prices of books so education is provided given to all classes in Pakistan irrespective of their social status,” Mirza concluded.

Salman Abid, an analyst and education activist, said the government had a responsibility to provide a business model where publishers should use quality paper and print quality books on cheaper rates. “I believe book reading culture is not dying in our society, all we need is to facilitate the young generation to get them education with no financial hurdles,” he said.

On his part, Punjab Education Minister Dr Murad Raad said the government was going to make sure that the entire process (of book publishing) was transparent.“We will go to every extent to help reduce the cost. If the problems are not solved through local resources, we will opt for importing material from outside the country to ensure transparency and make the books available at cheaper rates in the market,” he added.But the minister appeared to forget that the dollar-rupee parity has gone through a major shockwave in the past one year, and that has been precisely one of the many reasons the prices of books and other items have gone up. Incidentally, that is also what the publishers have been demanding all along – subsidies to import cheaper paper given the rise in the value of dollar and the resultant increase in the import bill. Only time can tell – and tell it will – what policies the government adopts to help the book publishing industry sustain these troubled times and ease the rising burden of educational expense on parents. But one thing is as certain as death and taxes, getting quality education in this country is only going to get harder than it already is.

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