AKU-IED had the privilege of hosting a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring esteemed educationists: Dr Marie Lall (Professor of Education and South Asian Studies at the UCL Institute of Education), Dr Licia Proserpio (Adjunct Professor and Research Manager at the Department of History and Culture – University of Bologna), Dr Faisal Bari (Associate Professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences), and Dr Farid Panjwani (Professor and Dean, AKU-IED). Facilitated by Dr Tasneem Anwar (Assistant Professor, AKU-IED), the discussion delved into various aspects of education, from equitable access to the essence of quality education.
A key takeaway from the discussion was the consensus that education is a fundamental responsibility of the state. This responsibility includes providing access to compulsory education and ensuring its quality and equity for all citizens. The panel emphasized that quality education goes beyond rote learning, focusing on nurturing critical and creative thinking skills.
The discussion also highlighted the transformative power of quality education, emphasizing its role in driving innovation. However, it was noted that education, as a public good, receives minimal budgetary allocation, leading to poor-quality education in the public sector. This has resulted in a shift towards the private sector, diminishing public discourse on educational reform.
Insights into foreign aid revealed a discrepancy between funding conditions and local educational needs, limiting the impact on access and quality of education. The panel stressed the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure quality education for all.
Furthermore, the role of the Humanities in the age of technology was discussed, along with the importance of early childhood development. The panel emphasized that the foundation for a child's development should start from an early age, with a focus on practical and applicable lessons.
While the concept of quality education is often limited to performance in the era of neoliberalism, the panel argued for a broader perspective. They suggested that quality education should be seen as the lessons learned that are applicable in daily life.
It provided valuable insights and perspectives on modern education, highlighting the need for a collaborative effort to ensure quality and equitable education for all. AKU-IED is committed to continuing such dialogues to shape the future of education in Pakistan.