Experts express concern over corruption in education sector

Issues affecting the education sector and to develop strategies to eradicate them were discussed at a seminar on "Measures to eradicate corruption in the education sector" held at a local hotel here on Thursday. About 100 persons from education sector, media and other walks of life attended the seminar which was organised by Transparency International Pakistan.
Chief Guest at the seminar was Illahi Bukhsh Soomro former National Assembly speaker and minister. The panel of speakers included Syed Adil Gilani, Chairman Transparency International Pakistan. He spoke on the corruption issues in different sectors including education and stressed the need to stand-up against this menace.
Professor Dr Nasiruddin, Assistant Professor Department of Islamic Learning, University of Karachi, was the first speaker to shed light on the subject. He stressed that a person going to establish an institution must have in-depth knowledge of the process. The person himself should have gone through the process of being chosen as the right candidate and shouldn't take this simply as a business venture.
Professor Dr M. M. A Feroze spoke about the corruption in education sector from primary to university level. According to him departments and institutions of Pakistan are producing a lot of talent which is of no use since they have no practical experience. He was of the opinion that corruption could either be intentional or unintentional. Intentional corruption included cheating, fleecing and similar other things. In short, intentional corruption is dodging the system in order to achieve some personal objectives. The data on intentional corruption is so huge with reference to education in Pakistan that even Terabytes are not enough to show their magnanimity.
He observed that anyone could visit the website of Transparency International Pakistan, Economic Survey of Pakistan or many other sites to find unimaginable amount of data regarding intentional corruption in education with reference to Pakistan.
Professor Dr Syed Abdul Aziz, Director Hamdard Institute of Education and Social Sciences, Karachi, talked on the measures for eradicating corruption in the examination system. He asserted that the people of Pakistan were responsible for the corruption in the examination departments of institutions because they encouraged their children to study at the eleventh hour and when they were not ready, they opt for cheating. He presented a number of recommendations to curb corruption in the examination system. His presentation was well received by all, which was evident in the question-answer session.
Illahi Bukhsh Soomro summed up the presentations and shared his experience in the education sector and in government. At the end of his address, he announced the formation of a committee to formulate recommendations to be implemented in the education sector, under the Chairmanship of former Justice Haziqul Khairi with the following as members: Professor Dr Syed Abdul Aziz, Professor Dr M. M. A. Feroze, Professor Dr Nasiruddin and Professor Kafil Ahmad. The committee was further authorised to co-opt any other member that it might wish and was asked to submit its recommendations in 4 to 6 weeks time. Vote of thanks was given by Professor Kafeel Ahmad, ex-Principal Jinnah College, Karachi.