‘Invest in Pakistan’s own education system’, PDA Karachi President urges Govt
KARACHI: The Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) Karachi Chapter President, Prof. Dr. Navid Rashid Qureshi, has issued a strong appeal to the government, urging it to prioritize massive reforms and investment in Pakistan’s own education system instead of turning to costly foreign alternatives.
In a detailed letter titled ‘Invest in Pakistan’s own education system – not in external alternatives’, Prof. Qureshi addressed his concerns directly to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Field Marshal, the Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Health, the Federal Ministers, the Federal Minister of Education, the Provincial Ministers of Education, and other relevant authorities.
The PDA Karachi President emphasized that recent discussions around introducing Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) in public schools had sparked widespread concern. He argued that instead of importing expensive systems that serve only a minority, the government must urgently repair and modernize its own national education framework.
Prof. Qureshi outlined four core priorities to strengthen Pakistan’s education system:
- Strengthening national education boards – Karachi Board, Sindh Board, Federal Board, and other provincial boards form the backbone of Pakistan’s education system. He stressed that these must be modernized with transparent examinations, updated curricula, improved textbooks, and fair evaluation processes rather than being sidelined.
- Empowering teachers and schools – No system can succeed without teachers, yet government schools remain under-resourced. He called for serious investment in teacher training, digital resources, and infrastructure, terming it “the real reform Pakistan needs.”
- Ensuring equality and national identity – External systems like CIE serve a small urban elite and impose heavy financial burdens. True equality, he argued, can only be achieved when every child – whether in Karachi, Khuzdar, Lahore, or Larkana – has access to the same high-quality Pakistani education system.
- Building pride in Pakistan’s education system – Prof. Qureshi insisted that great nations rise by strengthening their own institutions, not borrowing from others. Pakistan must establish a world-class education framework rooted in its realities, values, and aspirations while competing with the best globally.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Qureshi urged policymakers to:
- Prioritize massive investment in Pakistan’s own education boards instead of diverting funds to foreign alternatives.
- Ensure teacher training, modern infrastructure, digital tools, and transparency across all boards.
- Create a national roadmap to make local boards internationally recognized and competitive.
- Involve teachers, parents, and educationists before making top-down changes.
“Our children are not experiments for borrowed systems. They are the future of Pakistan. The strength of our nation depends on the strength of its own education,” Prof. Qureshi stated with resolve.
Stay connected with Dental News Pakistan
CLICK HERE TO JOIN our WhatsApp Community to get expert dental tips, industry updates, and research insights straight to your phone.