https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, July 22 (Alliance News): Education experts, researchers, and policy analysts have voiced serious concerns over the alarming decline in Pakistan’s higher education sector, warning that without urgent and comprehensive reforms, the system risks total collapse.
Speaking at a webinar titled “Shaping the Future: Reforming Pakistan’s Higher Education through Policy Innovation” hosted by the Alliance for Good Governance Foundation, participants stressed that the country’s education system is at a critical crossroads and requires immediate intervention.
Dr. Mubashira Khalid an expert in public health and education, described the current scenario as an “education crisis.”
She warned that the country’s universities are producing graduates who are ill-prepared for the demands of the modern job market.
“Without meaningful reforms, we are setting our future generations up for failure,” she said, calling for the integration of innovation, practical learning, and digital skills into the curriculum.
Youth education advocate Kanwal Bijoro highlighted the growing urban-rural divide and stressed the need for urgent investment in rural infrastructure, faculty training, and digital connectivity. “If this gap isn’t bridged, we risk losing an entire generation in underdeveloped areas,” she said, urging the government to prioritize equal educational opportunities across the country.
Dr. Shahida Naveed emphasized that skill-based education is essential for economic growth. “We must equip students with critical thinking, adaptability, and practical skills,” she said.
She called on the government to move away from outdated academic models and support technical training, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy.
Curriculum expert Syed Yasir Ali criticized the outdated course content still being taught in universities. “We are teaching theories from decades ago, irrelevant to today’s market needs,” he said.
Ali proposed the formation of a national task force to redesign curricula that are aligned with current global standards and technological advancements.
Dr. Tariq Khan, Convenor of the Alliance for Good Governance Foundation, concluded the session with a strong warning: “Pakistan stands at a turning point—we must choose reform over regression.” He proposed declaring a national education emergency and called for a collaborative roadmap involving the government, universities, private sector, and civil society.
Dr. Khan also emphasized the need to introduce AI literacy, environmental education, and cross-disciplinary studies to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. Participants echoed concerns over weak governance, lack of monitoring, and poor quality assurance in public universities and colleges.
The webinar concluded with a unanimous resolution urging both federal and provincial governments to immediately initiate long-term policy reforms. Key recommendations included establishing a National Skills Council, revising governance structures in higher education, increasing education funding to at least 4% of GDP, and launching nationwide teacher training programs.
The Alliance for Good Governance Foundation announced that it would compile all recommendations and research presented during the webinar into a white paper, to be submitted to the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for review and implementation.
