By Saima Siddique
Pakistan is a developing country and is progressing day by day in every field of life. Both men and women are equally important for the growth and development of the country. Besides this, it is mandatory that everyone gets an equal opportunity to improve their personality, skills, and overall quality of life.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan, women are still far behind in technical education and practical skills. Although many women hold academic degrees, they often lack professional and technical skills. As a result, when there is a need to support their families or when circumstances force them to work, they are unable to secure suitable and well paid jobs. Consequently, they end up working in low-level positions, wasting their potential and time, and receiving insufficient compensation that does not meet their personal or household needs.
Everyone knows that time is precious. If a woman leaves her home to earn a livelihood, she should be fully equipped with proper education and relevant skills. In Pakistan, women are competing with men in almost every professional field. However, if women are expected to receive equal pay, respect, and recognition for their time and efforts, then serious attention must be given to skill development and income-generating opportunities that can improve their standard of living.
Due to the current inflation in the country, it is no longer possible for a household to rely solely on one income. In unfortunate situations where a woman loses her husband or faces disability within the family, she is compelled to step out and earn for her household. At this stage, many women face the harsh reality that they lack adequate education or professional skills, which leads to severe hardships and struggles in life.
When I was a student, I always preferred activity-based learning. I never felt comfortable in a traditional, conventional classroom system. I wanted to pursue an education that would truly benefit me in my future life. However, in the classroom, we were forced to study conventional subjects, while my real interests were completely missing from my academic journey throughout my primary and secondary education.
Pakistan’s primary and secondary education system needs serious modification. Students especially girls should not be forced to choose limited subjects like Home Economics only. Instead, they should be given exposure to diverse technical and practical subjects that can help them become skilled, confident, and financially independent.
Why are students not introduced to technical and vocational subjects such as farming, furniture design and manufacturing, automobile mechanical work, electrical work, plumbing, drafting, architecture, civil work, administration, and business related studies Along with this, essential professional skills such as MS Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Word should be made part of the curriculum from an early stage.
An education system that focuses on skills along with theory can prepare students especially girls for real life challenges, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship. This approach will not only empower individuals but will also contribute significantly to the economic growth and development of Pakistan.
Here, we are in urgent need of completely transforming women’s lives by supporting them to groom themselves through education gradually and practically. Why do we wait until university to think about skills and professional exposure Skills should be developed from an early age.
The government and private sectors should introduce internship and apprenticeship programs for primary and secondary school students as well, especially for girls. During adolescence, students can acquire skills more effectively, and a life with skills is far better than a life without skills. Early exposure helps build confidence, independence, and career clarity.
The Ministry of Education must seriously consider implementing activity based learning in classrooms, alongside textbooks, starting from primary education. Female students should be actively encouraged to participate in these activities within schools, rather than being restricted to theoretical learning only.
Proposed Practical Solutions:
- Farming & Plantation: Schools already have sufficient space and resources. Girls can be involved in plantation, seed sowing, basic farming techniques, and environmental care as part of their regular curriculum.
- Technical Skills: Introduce basic electrical work, plumbing awareness, drafting, furniture design, and mechanical concepts at an introductory level.
- Office & Digital Skills: Teach MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, basic accounting, administration, and business communication from middle school onwards.
- Entrepreneurial Exposure: Small school based projects where students create, manage, and sell simple products to understand business fundamentals.
- Internships & Field Visits: Short, supervised internships, workshops, and exposure visits in collaboration with government departments and private organizations.
By adopting an activity based and skill oriented education system, Pakistan can empower women from an early age, reduce dependency, and prepare future generations to face real life challenges with confidence and competence. Educating women with skills is not just social development it is national development.
