IJT KP Releases White Paper on Education Crisis in the Province

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, October 23, 2024 – Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has released a white paper outlining a series of urgent reforms to address the deteriorating state of the education system in the province. Despite the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s third consecutive term, the education sector continues to face severe challenges, leaving millions of students in crisis.

IJT KP has called on the provincial government to immediately address these pressing issues, highlighting the following key demands:

1. Restoration and Elections for Students Union: IJT demands the revival of students’ unions at universities and campuses to promote leadership and democratic engagement among students. The current practice of forcing students to sign affidavits prohibiting political activities is a violation of their basic freedoms and must end.
2. University Reforms: With many universities facing financial and administrative crises, IJT demands the appointment of permanent vice-chancellors for all 34 public sector universities and financial support for struggling institutions.
3. Semester System Reforms: The semester system is currently unbalanced, giving disproportionate power to teachers and administrators. IJT calls for reforms that foster innovation and debate, along with increasing the number of available seats for BS programs.
4. Harassment and Drug-Free Campuses: In response to increasing harassment and drug-related incidents, IJT advocates for the creation of student-led cells to combat these issues at the institutional and provincial levels.
5. Fee Reduction: With the rising cost of education making it inaccessible to middle-class families, IJT demands immediate fee reductions to ensure affordable education for all.
6. Technological and Technical Expertise: The current education system lacks alignment with emerging technologies. IJT demands the introduction of courses and programs that will equip students with technical skills needed for the modern workforce.
7. Industry-Education Linkages: IJT stresses the need for better collaboration between educational institutions and industries to ensure that graduates are prepared for the job market.
8. Support for Colleges: Undergraduate colleges face shortages in infrastructure, faculty, and funding. IJT calls for increased government support to improve the quality of education.
9. Out-of-School Children: With over 4.7 million children out of school in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, IJT urges the government to implement effective measures to bring these children back into the education system.
10. Teacher Shortages: The province faces a shortage of over 16,000 teachers. IJT demands the recruitment of qualified teachers to improve the quality of education.
11. Opposition to School Privatization: IJT opposes the privatization of public schools, warning that it will further deprive disadvantaged students of access to quality education.
12. Uniform Education System: A lack of uniformity in the education system has led to a class-based divide among students. IJT demands the implementation of a standardized education system across the province and the country.

IJT KP is committed to advocating for these reforms and urges the provincial government to take immediate action to address these issues, ensuring that students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa receive the quality education they deserve.