Elite vs Deprived students of Gilgit Baltistan
Elite vs Deprived students of Gilgit Baltistan: Educational Polarization
According to the World Bank Economic Report On Gilgit-Baltistan, published in year 2010-11, In Gilgit Baltistan, we have a net primary school enrollment of 51%, net middle school enrolment of 17%, and only 14% Matric school Enrollment, it means, only 17 out of every 100 students end up at Middle level and only 14 out of every 100 students reach to matric level.
While going through this survey my heart was repeatedly asking me question. Don’t you think Gilgit Baltistan has been polarized in terms of education? Is it not true that same region is producing two different generations who have total different approach, mindset, and understanding level? Elite students of GB are those who acquire their basic education from reputed institutions of Gilgit Baltistan and in some way or other they find their way to the reputed universities of Pakistan. But the situation seems more pathetic when you see the other dimension. There are the regions in GB where students even don’t have access to basic primary level education. Although some of they get some basic education but the survey I have mentioned above is clearly depicting the true picture of Gilgit Baltistan.
In today’s world the significance of knowledge and the role of intellectuals in the development of society are critical. For the bright future of Gilgit Baltistan, the young generation should dive in the sea of knowledge. Only by acquiring the quality education we can fight for our identity, rights, justice and can bring positive change in Gilgit Baltistan.
It is the bitter pill of truth we must all swallow, our region is suffering from such high drop out rate and lot of fundamental questions need to be answer. Whether their parents are so ignorant that they don’t want to nurture and educate their children’s or they have some serious financial constraints which ultimately suffers their children’s career. Besides that, the role of government in promoting quality education in the far flung areas of Gilgit Baltistan is also questionable. It is utter reality that the standard of education in government schools and colleges in not up to the mark which can be affecting the students career. And there is another possibility which cannot be ruled out that if the students themselves are not interested towards their studies
It is true that the situation of Gilgit Baltistan is threatening and alarming in terms of new generation and their education. Due to such high dropout rate, the division of elite students and deprived students is clearly visible. Those deprived students who are the victims of this drop out rate they have just frustration and hardship in life. There is a huge possibility that this frustration may lead them to social evils. But at the same time, the elite students are thinking higher and higher and they want to achieve a lot in their life.
Being a citizen of Gilgit Baltistan think for a moment that who is going to play role in narrowing down this polarization. Don’t you think civil society has to come forward to think seriously over this issue? Government should revisit its educational policy and NGO’s should invest more in educational sector. This problem needs a long term and permanent solution. Although it is time consuming but still it is not late.
Naubahar Rafi
Member M&A Council
Organization For Educational Change(OEC)
Student FAST-NU Peshawer
Note: It is not official opinion of writer or organization, we appreciate diverse opinions for public discussion and debate.