KARACHI: Highlighting the stark challenges Pakistan face in the education sector, speakers at a book launch said teachers had a central role in the quality of learning outcomes and their participation in decision-making was crucial to elevate the status of the teaching profession.
Titled Baatein Kitab Ki, the launch was organised by the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) for the book Teaching and Teacher Education in Pakistan: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives authored by Prof Anjum Halai, vice provost, AKU and alumna of AKU-IED’s Master of Education Programme.
Dr Halai, a distinguished educator with extensive experience at national and international level, has made significant contributions to the field of education.
In her new book, Dr Halai explores the pivotal role that teachers play in student learning, motivation and their overall development.
The book highlights gaps in Pakistan’s education system, where many students lag behind their expected grade levels. It points out that the government spending on education is still low and, even in higher education, the departments of education in the universities do not necessarily enjoy the same status and access to funding and resources as do the other professional education institutions such as in medicine and engineering.
The book’s first section traces the evolution of education since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, examining the efforts of policymakers and decision-makers to enhance the quality of education. Despite these efforts, Dr Halai observes that educational outcomes remain weak, and the system continues to fall short in adequately serving Pakistan’s children and youth.
In the second section, the author draws on classroom-based research from Pakistan to offer insights into the critical issues affecting teaching and their implications for teacher education. She underscores the central role of teachers and calls for a responsive teacher education system that equips educators to prepare students for the demands of a diverse and dynamic world.
At the event, Dr Halai emphasised the importance of teachers as agents of change, stating: “Teachers must not be seen as passive recipients of policies and reforms. It is the teacher who leads the dynamics of teaching and learning at the grassroots level. Teachers’ voices and participation in decision-making are crucial to elevating the status of the teaching profession.”
The speakers, including Prof Farid Panjwani, dean IED-AKU, and Sadiqa Salahuddin, executive director of the Indus Resource Centre, appreciated Dr Halai’s efforts and said the book offered a comprehensive analysis of the teaching profession and teacher education across the continuum of teachers’ careers in the Pakistani context.
Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2024