Sindh SoED.pdf - IUCN - Pakistan

Sindh State ofEnvironment &Development294High Dropout RatesAs a developing country, the government hasover-emphasised primary level schooling thatdoes not go into middle schools where a highdrop out rate is observed. This misplacedemphasis is producing half literate and veryfrustrated young men and women and also addsto the cost of middle and tertiary level schooling.With an increase in levels of poverty over thelast decade, children drop out of school to helptheir families by engaging in economic activity.A considerable percentage of girls do not attendschool because of lack of parental permission.Social AttitudesThe high level of drop outs from secondaryschooling and the gender gap in the educationof women reflects prevalent social attitudes.Based on ignorance, low income families tendto keep children from school, not realising thatthis increases their poverty due to lack ofopportunities. Related studies have proved thatinfant mortality and children's health is relatedto the mother's education.In small and medium towns, in particular, and inrural areas, education is further discouraged bythe large landholders who provide employmentto the local people. This is because it is fearedthat the local people may begin to question theirsubaltern position.By gradually making matriculation mandatoryfor all, the federal government can help changethese attitudes.Ghost SchoolsIn Karachi alone, 700 ghost schools have beenidentified by the authorities, referring toinstitutions that only exist on paper. The SindhEducation Department established a task forcein January 1999 to identify such schools and theabsentee staff that has been illegally appointedto draw government salaries. The Departmentidentified 9 percent of schools all over Sindh and7 percent of teachers but this is believed to bean erroneous estimate. Even according tonewspaper reports of the month of December2003, 2004 primary schools were closed downby protesting teachers in Nawabshah, of which156 were boy's schools, and 48 girl's schools. InNasirabad, all primary schools were closeddown for two months by the government staff; inGhotki tehsil 54 primary schools were closed, inDherki 48 schools, in Khanpur Meher 18, inMirpur Mathelo 60, and in Obaru 65 schoolswere closed for over two months. In Ghotkialone, 15, 000 students were affected. InLarkana district, middle schools were closed fornon-payment of salaries to teachers 12 .Curriculum DevelopmentCurriculum development for public, private andmadrassah education is essential to emphasisesome core values in the younger generation. Anover emphasis on ‘Pakistan ideology’ and ‘Islamicpolity’ is meaningless at the school level wherelearning has to correspond to the growing needsof the mind. The desire to broaden a child'sperspective may be achieved through a study ofthe social sciences, literatures of the world andinternational geography which are subjects thathave been eliminated in the last two decadesfrom school curricula. Sub-continental and worldhistories need to be compiled more carefullywithout editing out the non-Muslim world or thenon-Muslim past of the subcontinent. Alsoneeded is an emphasis on social andenvironmental issues. The current curricula donot contain much information on environmentaleducation, There need sustainabledevelopment, or issues of envirmentaldegradation, human rights, health andpopulation, These need to be added to ensurethat knowledge and respect for the environmentand society are inculcated from childhood. Themadrassahs can be employed as a good sourcefor raising awareness on environmental issues asboth environmental education and religiouseducation promote ethics and values.Examination SystemThe examination system needs to beoverhauled with a change in pedagogical12. Hilal-e Pakistan, 22 December 2003