A Thorough Appraisal of Online Education in Pakistan

1.On March 16 , schools were shut down till 5 July and then ...
Despite the pandemic forcing Pakistan to close its schools until mid-July, the government launched the "Taleem Ghar" programme, which comprises a TV channel and smartphone application for pupils and instructors. The quality and quantity of schooling are unfortunately hindered by the limited availability to information and communication technology in families. Problematic English as a medium of education makes it challenging for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to succeed in the workforce. Furthermore, the nation only spends 2.4% of its GDP on public education. The government must encourage capacity building and technical assistance, especially in the nation's underdeveloped regions, and adopt a phased reopening strategy. A bailout plan for private educational institutions, cash flow, subsidies, interest-free loans, and payment of student loans are a few ideas.
Challenges/PROBLEMS::Efforts commendabe ...problems...about quality and quantity


1.ASER - The Annual Status of Education Report (2019)
AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AT HOUSEHOLDS
National Average
1.TV-Rural= 60.1% &Urban=88.1%
2.Computer-Rural=14.1% & Urban=41.7%
3.Mobile Phones-Rural=66.2% & Urban = 85.0%
4.Smart Phone:Rural=38.3% & Urban= 73.3%
5.SMS Service:Rural=59.0% & Urban=80.1%
6.WhattsApp Service:Rural=89.8% & Urban=93.1%


Internet Connection in Provinces:Rural Areas
Punjab=18.1%
Sindh=18.5%
KPK=15.1%
KPK Newly Merged Districts=7.4%
Balochistan=11.1%
AJK=14.6%
Gilgit Baltistan=9.9%
Islamabad-ICT=36.2%


2.Language of instruction: English: 18 The amendment to education was provided to provinces, however there is no uniform policy on the use of urdu and english as a medium of instruction in both public and private schools. ELITE institutions
The majority of English classes are taught in Urdu, as seen by Taleem Ghar's daily televised programming. Most of these sessions are devoted to teaching grammar, with the goal of having students memorising the definitions of technical terminology.
In terms of exposure to English outside of the classroom, low- and middle-income households in Pakistan are not substantially different from each other.
There are more than 75 languages and dialects that families use. One of them is not English. Even if students learn a few concepts in class, they hardly ever have the chance to put them into practise at home.


3. The introduction of the 18th Amendment did not make matters easier with some provinces opting to switch to Urdu, thereby contributing to variation in student learning opportunities and outcomes.


4.The experience of working with public schools has shown that teachers’ input was not sought to inform policy changes on language of instruction.


6.No arrangement for children with disabilities.(Over 20% of schools have Children with Disabilities.ASER Report 2019)


7.Transition from traditional classroom to virtual/online classes from pen and paper based to key board/typing
8.Intense requirement for self-discipline/self-management & Self-direction
9.Small children of junior classes
10.online education may create a sense of isolation
11.Expertise/Technical knowledge/computer literacy
12.teaching resources
13.causes social isolation..little or no face-to-face interaction
14.Plan was not comprehensive PEIs were not included nor consulted


Total strength of students:over 19.8 million



Pakistan's education statistics report for 2015-16 shows that the overall educational institutions in Pakistan from pre-primary to the university level are 303,446 – of which 191,065 are public and 112,381 private. The total enrolment is 47.5 million – out of which 27.7 million is for public and 19.8 million is for private.(The NEWS,September 25, Nadeem Iqbal Dealing with private schools)
The total enrolment is 47.5 million – out of which 27.7 million is for public and 19.8 million is for private.(
No. of Private Schools:1,73,110-300,000
Staff:over 15 lac
The UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, and our constitution's Article 25A guarantees that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years.
Allied to this is the National Education Policy (NEC) 2017-2025, articulating that without active, vibrant and flourishing private-sector achievement of national and international goals, targets and commitments such as free and compulsory education under Article 25(A) and sustainable development goals (SDGs) may not be possible. But the NEC admits that a private-sector education database is missing. A countrywide private education census could not be conducted for the last one decade.



The UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, and our constitution's Article 25A guarantees that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years.
Allied to this is the National Education Policy (NEC) 2017-2025, articulating that without active, vibrant and flourishing private-sector achievement of national and international goals, targets and commitments such as free and compulsory education under Article 25(A) and sustainable development goals (SDGs) may not be possible.
15.China,Sweden,Denmark,Norway,Japan,Taiwan and Germany are reopening schools.




Stark Realities::
1-23 million children are still out of school(UNICEF,DAWN)
2.'12.5 -14 million children in Pakistan are involved in labor'.(DAWN,ILO,UNO)
3.An estimated 1.5 million children live on the streets of Pakistan, according to various numbers from government surveys and private organisations.(Al-Jazeera)
4.According to a report submitted by Ministry of Planning and Development in the National Assembly of Pakistan, about 29.5% Pakistani lived below the poverty line which translates into 55 million people.
5.The government earmarked Rs 77.262 billion for Education Affairs and Services in the federal budget for 2019-20 against the revised allocation of Rs 97.155 billion for the current fiscal year, showing a decrease of around 20.5 percent. The government also reduced the budgetary allocation for higher education sector. Pakistan's public expenditure on education as percentage to GDP is estimated at 2.4 percent in fiscal year 2018-19, which is the lowest in the region.


Online education is athe only way out during these days for which both private and government institutions need assistance in capacity building and technical support ,especially,in backward areas of the country.There should be a 'phased' reopening approach,not suddenly open for all as it might pose serious threats to the lives of students,staff and their families.


Suggestions::
1.Bailout package for private educational institutions
2.Availability of cash facility
3.Subsidies
4.Interest free loans
5.Payment of buildings rent direct to building owners/landlords
6.Plots allocation for institutions owned campuses
Government must announce a bailout package