HIGHER EDUCATION AND 18th AMENDMENT

 Education has traditionally been viewed as a means of preparing for life. It is a necessary component of development and societal change in order to meet our requirements. Higher education, in particular, is thought to be critical in preparing the next generation for socio-economic transformation. Through information sharing, it provides specialists to cater to the demands of commercial and public enterprises.

The 18th Amendment Act of 2010, which was passed by the National Assembly on April 8, 2011, made a number of amendments to Pakistan's 1973 Constitution. It changed 102 articles and transferred 47 subjects to the provinces' exclusive legislative and executive powers. One of the primary issues being transferred to the provincial responsibility is education. The concurrent legislative list, which included education as a shared federal-provincial legislative jurisdiction, has been removed, which will have a negative influence on education in general and higher education in particular.

Federal and provincial roles and challenges:

The federal government is left to deal with international treaties, education in federal territories, and inter-government coordination. The federal government has to abolish inter-provincial coordination e.g., inter-board committees and inter-provincial education ministerial which were a part of the federal ministry of education. The 18th Amendment redefines the role of provinces. Since its passage in April 2011, no concrete steps are being taken by the provinces, in particular the province of Baluchistan, to deal with the HE sector.

The curriculum and standard of education must be competitive at national/international levels. This would need experts, especially at the higher education level. New wings/sections have to be established for new responsibilities and new policies have to be approved by the cabinet or assembly e.g., Baluchistan does not have the compulsory Primary Education Legislation for implementing article 25-A (Free and compulsory education for children of ages 5-16 years). The province would require specialized arrangements to respond to the challenges confronting the HE sector. It must therefore have in place a provincial HEC or council in line with the HEC Ordinance of 2002 with clear composition, power, and functions to deal with the HE sector and its standards, and it must be an autonomous body. The legislative and administrative capacity of the provinces and the provision of funds could be a serious challenge. The provinces have to project the financial resources required for HE.

Impacts on Higher Education:

• The 18th Amendment Act will have a significant impact on the HE sector nationally and provincially. At the national level, no legal and legislative protection is given to the HEC as a federal unit. As per Article 38 devolved, HEC may not justify its position as a single body on HE.

• HE at the national level will face serious challenges on access, quality, relevance, and equity that hold fundamental positions promoting national cohesion. HEC will also face international challenges from international donor agencies on adopting economic and social change essential to education innovation at the institutional level. As devolution limits the HEC’s role in the provincial HE sector, it would also limit its role in cross borders/collaboration in sharing knowledge.

• The socio-economic development plan is very much connected with the country’s HE and science and technology programs. For instance, the HR requirements such as doctors, engineers, scientists, and economists have to be determined at the national level and so is the funding that comes from the federal government. Devolution will have a negative impact on the process of national socio-economic development provincially and federally.

The provinces need legislation for devolved subjects. There should also be specialized arrangements responding to challenges confronting the HE sector e.g., administrative and resource capacity. Policy and planning wings in the provincial education secretariat also need to be established. Besides, the development of autonomous bodies such as the HEC or councils is needed at the provincial level. Heads also need to be put together to come up with financial resources for HE.

Source: Dawn Article