he country is headed towards general elections. The political parties as well as other candidates are expected to tell voters how they plan to change their lives once they have been voted into power. In particular, one wants to be told how they will ensure protection of their fundamental rights.

Education is among the issues mentioned in the run-up to almost every election. There is no way a candidate, whether independent or having a party ticket, can ignore this. Article 25-A of the constitution talks about the “right to education,” clearly stating that “The state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to 16 years in such manner as may be determined by law.” However, experts agree that in term of resources allocation, education has never been a government’s priority.

Education always takes the centre stage in any discussion of fundamental rights and services. This is true of the electoral as well as other political discourse. It will find a mention in almost all manifestos. However, once the elections are over, concern for economic growth and development typically supersedes commitments to public health and education. Studies suggest that despite the promises made by almost all governments, less than three percent of the GDP is allocated for education.

Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari recently called for greater action to ensure that education gets its rightful place in governance. Similar promises have been made and are being reiterated by other parties. A look at the previous manifestos of the major political parties in the country indicates that education quality and its affordability are among their top priorities.

Education is also a vital component of the Sustainable Development Goals, an international commitment by the state. However, the country remains at the bottom of the list in the region in meeting the challenge of education for all.

Experts point out that education reforms have to be the focus of the new government. It is hoped that a comprehensive education policy will be announced. Experts and stakeholders have urged all political actors to clearly define the measures they propose to promote education and meet the challenge of school dropouts. They say a comprehensive framework is needed for an inclusive and globally compatible education system.

Major interventions might be needed to end the gender gap in education. There is a need meanwhile to make higher education more independent of the government and more responsive to the demands of the job market. “There’s a need for a proper roadmap and a consistent education policy that is not affected by political instability,” educationist Dr AH Nayyar says. He adds, “The state, till now, seems to have failed to implement the Article 25-A and provide free and compulsory education to all children under 16 years.”

According to him, around half the children of the country are deprived of schooling on account of the failure of the state to provide the resources needed for the task. He demands that all political parties make a pledge to enhance allocations for education to 6 percent of the GDP.

Experts hope that progressive education investment will be a focus for the next regime. They stress on a more pragmatic balance in resource distribution to ensure reasonable spending on the provision of health and education, particularly to the underserved segments of the society.

“We have made these fundamental rights in our political campaigns, but we haven’t provided funds for these when in power,” Dr Nayyar points out. He says that there is a greater focus, for instance, on law and order and projects likely to grab headlines. The litmus test for political parties, when they are in power, he says, is a measure of how fully they abide by the constitution, particularly the article related to education.

“International standards demand higher spending on education. Many states spend 6-15 percent of their GDP on education. However, in Pakistan, we have never reached even 3 percent,” he adds.

Some experts worry that Pakistan and its political parties lack a strategy to implement education sector reforms. That is why, they say, initiatives like Nayi Roshni Scheme and Parha Likha Punjab fail to achieve the desired results. People need to push their political parties and governments to reshape education policies and make education more skill-oriented.

“We seriously lack good education policies and adequate implementation. There is a feudal mindset in the society. It needs to end. There is a serious need to create a balance in distribution of resources,” Dr Nayyar says. “When security starts taking more than three percent of the GDP of a state, it starts affecting other vital needs. It is high time the resource distribution scheme was revisited to ensure that education gets the priority it deserves.”

The writer is a staff member. He can be reached at vaqargillani@gmail.com