To progress inquiring German Education Policy may be helpful
CPEC projects will bring in 0.7m jobs for Pakistan and great prosperity for Balochistan
Interview with Muhammad Azeem Khan Kakar — Media Coordinator. CM Balochistan
PAGE: Tell us about your personal story and path, and how you arrived to do the work you are doing today?
Azeem Khan Kakar: It is said; Human is the creature of circumstance. The chaotic political culture, disappointment of people, the attitude of incapable political leadership created a vacuum, which resulted an environment where people around forced us to come forward and play on your part. Thus, the gravity of situation and understanding the right of our first mother, Pakistan, I decided to contribute on my part. Russian philosopher, Lao Tolstoy, during Russian Revolution said; “Be the change, you wish to see in the world”. Certainly, my capacity is very limited, still with this small contribution, we may change a few people. Society will definitely change, provided we offer them exemplary figures with an impeccable character and foresight.
PAGE: Please tell us more about government of Balochistan and what does development mean for education?
Azeem Khan Kakar: The incumbent Balochistan Government, led by BAP Chairman Jam Kamal Khan, believe in real service of public. Alhamdulillah Government of Balochistan at its inception chalked out a comprehensive plan based on short term strategy, mid term strategy and long term strategy. More than twenty new laws and reforms, Sector wise amelioration mechanism and self assessment program was designed in first six months. Now putting our further endeavor to reflect things practically. And in education sector, we declared emergency in our first cabinet meeting, a year earlier. For the first time 18 percent budget allocated for education. Our government upgrading all primary, middle and high schools; establishing 300 new model schools in rural areas; school cluster budget redesigned; provision of 32 buses to girls inter colleges; upgradation of 23 inter colleges; construction of three sub campuses of Balochistan’s only Medical College (BMC); and construction of three sub campuses of universities and foreign scholarships for bright students. Meanwhile, our government also help needy students via Special Support Program (SSP). Additionally, Essential Educational Services Bill-2019 passed by Provincial Assembly and we implemented BEDA Act-2011 and RTMS, to ensure encouraging results in this important sector.
PAGE: How would you advise secular organizations to engage religious leaders on a practical level?
Azeem Khan Kakar: Indeed, this is a question of great concern to many people. For all organizations, I deem it imperative to mention that they should prove their essence and the worth of their programs. We ought to win popular mass appeal for projects. Similarly, engagement of organizations with religious leaders will require harmony between both parties as the first should focus priorities of public. Public at present is deprived of basic necessities and the organizations offer things of secondary importance, which will certainly give religious leaders an opportunity to mobilize public. So, the organization must first understand the societal demand and interest. Here I would like to some words of a literary figure: “A man who is not a member of society, is either God or a beast”. To rundown, it is important for the organization to understand the feelings, emotions, absorption and sentiments of society and then launch a program.
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PAGE: I saw that government of Balochistan grants loans for education. what are the education challenges facing Pakistan, and how have you faced them?
Azeem Khan Kakar: The current Balochistan Government, has a multidimensional approach towards education, which I discussed above. Simultaneously, our governments believes in introducing Public Private Partnership programs. Moving towards the second part of this question, I would very categorically state, that Pakistan and Balochistan has unique mammoth challenges i.e.; Firstly, the two-tier education system (Mundane Education & Seminaries Education) do not allow transformation, Secondly, the tribal culture is another hindrance in our rural areas, Thirdly, lack of professionalism halt quality education, Fourthly, lack of devoted and conscientious education policies by the previous regimes further worsened the situation. If we are to progress in this sector, we need to inquire German Education policy of the 20th century mentioned in “Facts About Germany” published by, Lexicon Institute; Despite wrestling first WW, 2nd WW and facing inhuman treaties like, the treaty of Versailles-1919, 35 percent of the total budget was allocated for education in Germany. Nelson Mandela rightly said; “Education is the chief defense of Nations”. If Pakistan has to excel in regional and international political order; we are to draw our priorities.
PAGE: What are the primary gender challenges today in Pakistan? what are the faith dimensions of those challenges? how does government of Balochistan work to address gender inequities?
Azeem Khan Kakar: Gender inequality is not only a problem in Pakistan, but exist in many countries of Asia and Africa. It is a societal, cultural and religious phenomenon. And issues of this type exist in Pakistan, because of our poor interest in making research. An intellectual s reported to have said; “A life without research, cannot be called, Life”. So far as Balochistan Government is concerned, we recently appointed a Woman Secretary in one leading department, Woman Provincial Ombudsmen and also reformed BPSC 1989 Act, by adding a female member. Our government working with vigor and energies to empower women in all spheres of life. I already mentioned our resolve for women empowerment in education sector.
PAGE: How could you look forward Balochistan in the light of CPEC?
Azeem Khan Kakar: Indeed, the importance of CPEC itself reflect its essence. Here I would like to add that Allah has blessed Pakistan with immense natural and human resource, gifted Pakistan extremely important geographical position, but our lack of attention, seriousness and foresight legged Pakistan far behind. With CPEC Balochistan can serve as a corridor between Pakistan – Central Asian Republics, China and 20 other important states of Middle East and SAARC states. This project can uplift Pakistan’s economic growth by 400 percent. CPEC will earn Pakistan 0.7 million job opportunities. The completion of this mega project will certainly bring huge prosperity for Balochistan. And here my message to all Pakistani high ups is; “With great power, comes great responsibility”.