Mekaeel Gondal in Friday Times:
On Pakistan’s independence, the literacy rates were quite disheartening. The very first population census in 1951 showed that only 17.9% of the people could read and write (Changes in Levels of Educational Attainment in Pakistan: 1951-1961 | JSTOR), and by the 1981 Census, this figure had hardly budged to 26.2% (UNESCO Report on Pakistan Education). With such limited literacy, it’s no surprise that a rich reading culture struggled to take root, after all, only a small segment of the population had the educational grounding needed to regularly dive into books and other writing. In addition, Pakistan’s education system was primarily shaped to help students earn academic qualifications, leading to jobs in government and public sectors. As a result, the focus shifted heavily towards passing exams and memorizing material rather than fostering a love for reading. Engaging with anything outside the set curriculum was often seen as an afterthought, rather than a vital part of one’s intellectual and personal growth.
More here.
Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.