Education in Northern Pakistan

Educating the neglected north

A visit to the headquarters of the Northern Areas, Gilgit, reveals that the absence of Pakistan government from different sectors has given NGOs, donors and developments sufficient space to intervene and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region

By Shahzada Irfan Ahmed

The beautiful and scenic northern areas of Pakistan comprising districts of Gilgit, Ghanche, Skardu, Diamer, Ghizer and Astore have been victims of sheer neglect for many years. Despite being under the control of the federal government, the locals have had no voting rights and constitution for decades. The government of Pakistan that provides funds to cover the administrative expenses of the area has not been able to provide basic education and health activities on a large scale.

Though apprehensions have existed for a long time that the northern areas are no more than a colony for Pakistan, the voices demanding rights for the locals are getting louder and louder with every passing day. With the assumption of power by the newly-elected democratic government the hopes of these people have been revived. The decision of the government led by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to do away with Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) has been an indication that the government wants to do something for the region.

A visit to the headquarter of the northern areas, Gilgit, reveals that the absence of Pakistani government from different sectors has given NGOs, donors and development organisations sufficient space to intervene and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. It is due to this factor that the literacy ratio in Gilgit is as high as 53.33 per cent.

These figures have been provided by the National Commission of Human Development (NCHD) that is working in the northern areas in partnership with Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan (AKESP) and Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) to achieve the goal of universal primary education and adult literacy. NCHD, a fast track initiative of the Pakistani government, was established in July 2001 as a federal statutory body tasked with the objective of filling the implementation gaps and improving the public-sector delivery mechanisms to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

During a visit to an adult literacy centre in Gilgit, it was observed that the local community was extremely receptive to change and the female students were brimming with confidence. One major reason for this ‘unexpected’ response from these women is that they have been interacting with people involved with the development sector.

Another perception that proved wrong during the visit was that the students enrolled at these literacy centers did not belong to the Ismaili community alone. There was due representation of Sunnis, Shias and Noorbukshies at the centers as well.

Qurban Ali, an AKESP representative told that the Agha Khan Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of sect and its programmes are open for all. A proof of this, he says, is that AKESP has presence even in Skardu where the number of Ismailis is negligible. Qurban says, “these centres have also played a great role in creating harmony among different sects and ending animosity amongst them that would often lead to violence in the recent past.”

The curriculum taught at adult literacy centres and post literacy centres has been devised in a way that it does not hurt the sentiments of any community. Post literacy centres are meant for those people who want to continue with their education after the completion of their basic course.

Amir Bilal, NCHD spokesperson, says that the literacy programme devised by NCHD expects the students to achieve basic literacy equivalent to grade 3 in 5 months. He says, “those completing the course must be able to write 7 to 10 sentences about their immediate environment, to add, subtract, multiply and divide a 3 digit figure and develop knowledge about techniques of tolerance and emotional control.”

Similarly, NCHD’s post literacy programme offers religious education, health education, awareness about environmental issues, agriculture, business, household matters, learning of English by phonics and so on.

The students enrolled at post literacy centres are mostly women, many of whom are mothers and even grandmothers. The northern areas are spread over an area of 72,496 square kilometres out of which 64,066 square kilometres comprises mountain area. The present population of the northern areas is around 870,000 and density is as low as 8 persons per sq km, living in some 650 small villages. This makes it difficult for the people to commute easily from one place to the other. Therefore, the emphasis of these bodies is on setting up literacy centres close to the houses of students and are managed by the people belonging to their own community.

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