PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND TRENDS

IN SECONDARY EDUCATION

AIOU Online Workshop 09-04-2021 (7:15Pm to 9:45 Pm

Course Code:0827 Unit No. 9

Muhammad Ilyas
Resource Person:
Allama Iqbal Open University (Islamabad)
 Learning Objectives of the Session

After studying this unit you will be able to:

1. Define the education system of Pakistan
at secondary level.
2. Describe different types of Issues and
problems about secondary education in
Pakistan.
3. Discuss the new trends in secondary
education common now around the globe.
 Introduction
 The Constitution of Pakistan gives right to provide
free and compulsory education to all children
between the ages of 5–16 years and enhance adult
literacy.
 Pakistan’s lagging behind in achieving EFA targets
and its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in
education.
 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030) for
education call for an analysis of the education system
of Pakistan and to look into the issues and problems
it is facing so that workable solutions could be
recommended.
In Education, What is the meaning &
Difference in following:

1.Problem ?
2. Issues ?
3.Trend ?
Problem a thing that is difficult to deal with or
to understand

Issue an important topic that people are

discussing or arguing about

Trend a general direction in which a

situation is changing or developing
(The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
Problems vs Issues
 The System of Education

 The system of education includes all institutions that are

involved in delivering formal education (public and private, for-
profit and nonprofit, onsite or virtual instruction) and their
faculties, students, physical infrastructure, resources and rules.
 In a broader definition the system also includes the institutions
that are directly involved in financing, managing, operating or
regulating such institutions (like government ministries and
regulatory bodies, central testing organizations, textbook
boards and accreditation boards).
 The rules and regulations that guide the individual and
institutional interactions within the set up are also part of the
education system.
Secondary Educating—Problem
1. Financial problem
2. Political interference
3. Social recognition
4. Problem of accommodation
5. Problem of frequent transfers
6. Lack of professional development
7. Staff relations
8. Community relations
9. School politics
Educational Facilities

The EFA goals focus on early childhood care

and education including pre-schooling,
universal primary education and secondary
education to youth, adult literacy with gender
parity and quality of education as crosscutting
thematic and programme priorities.
 Vision 2030

Vision 2030 of Planning Commission of Pakistan looks

for an academic environment which promotes the
thinking mind. The goal under Vision 2030 is one
curriculum and one national examination system under
state responsibility. The strategies charted out to achieve
the goal included:
(i) Increasing public expenditure on education and skills
generation from 2.7% of GDP to 5% by 2010 and 7% by
2015.
(ii) Re-introduce the technical and vocational stream in
the last two years of secondary schools.
(iii) Gradually increase vocational and technical
education numbers to 25-30% of all secondary
enrolment by 2015 and 50 per cent by 2030.
(iv) Enhance the scale and quality of education in
general and the scale and quality of scientific/technical
education in Pakistan in particular.
Funds for Education:
Pakistan spends 2.4% GDP on education.
• At national level, 89% education expenditure
comprises of current expenses such as teachers’
salaries, while only 11% comprises of development
expenditure which is not sufficient to raise quality of
education.
Funds for Education:
Pakistan spends 2.4% GDP on education. At
national level, 89% education expenditure
comprises of current expenses such as teachers’
salaries, while only 11% comprises of
development expenditure which is not sufficient to
raise quality of education.
Medium of Instruction
 The controversy of the medium of instruction came
into view in the sub-continent as soon as the English
people took hold and started governing the people in
the sub-continent (Rahman, 2006; Shamim, 2011).
 Looking at the majority in the educational institutes, it
was decided by the provincial governments to give
education to the people by using their mother tongues
as the medium of instruction and not English
(Nurullah and Naik, 1951).
 Furthermore, the National Education policy (2009)
disseminated that this issue was discussed as a
challenge to the students.
Non-availability of Audio Visual Aids

 Burden of more classes

 Lack of physical and learning resources
 Lack of supervision
 The Educational System Collapsed
Issues
The issues lead to the comprehension of the
problems which are faced in the development of
education system and promotion of literacy. The
study outlines seven major problems such as:
Lack of Proper Planning:
Social constraints:
Curriculum issues:
Issues of text books
 Diversification of
Secondary Education
Technical Education
Flipped Learning:
Flipped Learning is a form of blended learning where students
learn their lessons at home by watching video lectures and
studying content online, and then doing their homework in class.
Basically, instead of learning directly from the teacher students
learn from each other through a process of small groups using
critical problem solving.
By using Wi-Fi enabled classroom technology and various mobile-
app solutions you can create the interactive environment that
students benefit the most from. The value for educators comes
from generating powerful analytics to measure student responses
while also having the ability to stay engaged with your students in
and out of the classroom.
 Issues
Cost of Education
The economic cost is higher in private schools, but these are
located in richer settlements only. The paradox is that private
schools are better but not everywhere and government schools
ensure equitable access but do not provide quality education.
War on Terror
Pakistan’s engagement in war against terrorism also affected the
promotion of literacy campaign. The militants targeted schools
and students; several educational institutions were blown up,
teachers and students were killed in Balochistan, KPK and
FATA. This may have to contribute not as much as other factors,
but this remains an important factor.
Gender and Geographical Gaps
An analysis of the issues and problems suggest that:
The official data shows the allocation of funds for
educational projects but there is no mechanism which
ensures the proper expenditure of those funds on
education.
 The existing infrastructure is not being properly
utilized in several parts of the country.
 There are various challenges that include expertise,
institutional and capacity issues, forging national
cohesion, uniform standards for textbook
development, and quality assurance.
• The faculty hiring process is historically known to be
politicized. It is because of this that the quality of
teaching suffers and even more so when low
investments are made in teachers’ training. As a result
teachers are not regular and their time at school is not
as productive as it would be with a well-trained
teacher.
 Inside schools there are challenges which include
shortage of teachers, teacher absenteeism, missing basic
facilities and lack of friendly environment.
 Out of school challenges include shortage of schools,
distance – especially for females, insecurity, poverty,
cultural norms, parents are reluctant or parents lack
awareness.
Value Education
Remote Learning
This model allows students who can't make it to school still attend
virtually. They attend class through video and access content
online. Other technologies can also be used including video
conferencing, class forums, pre-recorded videos, social media, and
email.
Mind Mapping
Mind maps make learning interactive and multi-dimensional
instead of unidirectional and passive. It’s graphic and visual, using
circled ideas that are linked together with lines, the same way the
human mind works. This makes it easier for students to understand
and recall information.
By using software like Mindmeister or Brainstormer, you can
engage with your students and allow them to bounce ideas off each
other. The maps can also be easily shared just like an email.
 Big Data
Big-Data" has the remarkable flexibility and precision to change
how we teach and learn. All of the mobile devices, applications
and wireless technologies we use on a day to day basis can now be
linked together and harnessed to deliver an almost endless supply
of relevant data. Imagine having the ability to know exactly what
works and what doesn't for example:
• Are your students having trouble with how a question is
formatted rather than material
• Were your students more successful in the work place after
graduation
• Is homework more effective at certain times of night or during
certain times of the year
• How many students are understanding the curriculum and how
many are falling behind
 Computer and Information Technology

Gamification
Gamification is the concept of applying game-design thinking to different
classroom tasks to make them more fun and engaging. The idea is to use the typical
game system of providing challenges, rewarding winners, then providing harder
challenges with equally bigger rewards.
Digital Textbooks
Textbooks are getting more expensive and they are usually used for seven years
before a new edition comes out. A digital textbook would be more cost efficient
and can easily be updated to reflect the most recent information.
Social Media
Social media is usually considered a huge distraction when it comes to the
classroom. From Facebook to YouTube and Twitter many educators are fearful of
its use, but this is a short-sided view. With the right strategy in place and the right
wireless infrastructure social media can be useful and powerful tool for both
students and teachers.
 Summary

The reforms required in the education system of

Pakistan cannot be done by the government
alone, public-private participation and a mix of
formal as well as non-formal education can
pull out majority of country’s population from
illiteracy.
Similarly, to make the youth of the country an
asset, attention should also be paid to
vocational and technical training.
 Activity

1. Get views from your fellow colleagues about the

flaws in education system.
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2. Plan to apply at least one new method of teaching at
secondary level and list down the difficulties.
Thank You for Listening!