Technology has stepped into breach, and will continue to play a significant role in education sector in future. In a world where knowledge is a mouse-click away, the role of the educator must change too. This will redesign the future course of socio economic cycle of nations across the globe. In case of Pakistan, it requires immediate modification in syllabus and curricula in all disciplines being offered in the educational institutions of the country. The change in syllabus must be commensurate with international community as a global partner. Modern lesson plans will definitely ensure effective linkage between academia and industry for sustainable environment to ensure progress and prosperity.
During the start of 17th century, society witnessed a number of changes almost in all walks of life. The role of education sector inevitably required to chart out new lesion plans enabling future generations to compete at par with newly established industry equipped with modern mechanization. Eventually, entire world witnessed the changes in their educational institutions for preaching in the classrooms and practicing in the field. However, a journey of human society from theological stage to metaphysical stage to scientific stage ushered new challenges inter alia COVIC-19.
WHO reports regarding recent pandemic reveals that presently more than 167,515 confirmed (13,903 new) 6606 deaths (862 new) cases have been noticed. The figure is expected to be increased in amongst African Region, European Region and Region of the Americas. So far as Pakistan is concerned, more or less 13,000 people have been affected with five times spread rate within a fortnight. Consequently, factories, educational institutions and other important pillars of society have been locked out as a precautionary measure. It has also been expected that COVID-19 is expected to reach at its peak by mid of April and may decrease its sensitivity by the end of May or June 2020.
If situation goes with the same pace, there are likely chances of its severe consequences on business survival, bankruptcies, layoffs and wage-cuts etc. which would be an irrecoverable loss in the history of humankind. Most important sectors such as Tourism, Banking, Airline, Transport, Oil and Gas, Education, Labor, Defense and other important economic institutions shall remain at complete close.
Current scenario invited immediate attention to bring effective strategies to save the society from collateral damage. In the first instance, education sector needs to reinvent the course of future directions for the universities and institutions to timely respond few challenges such as; are we ready for managing people in virtual workplaces?, ready to lay off?, how to make workplaces more responsible? Does our current and future workforce enjoy necessary competencies to work online? Is there availability of IT equipment and gadgets including internet facility? Can we ensure attendance and presence of workforce in the offices and timely contribution of employees JDs? Is our HR capable of handling new challenges and most import employee health safety and insurance are the most important areas needs to be focused in the future lesson plans, syllabus and curricula. In addition to above, there is also need to focus adequate space to ensure social distances, online working facilities, travel advisories, testing kits, freelancing, existing online education set up under pre-defined quality criteria and employee retention policies on the basis of error-free rating mechanism.
The COVID-19 crisis may bring few changes in the education sector. Globally, educational institutions in parallel are cognizant with virtual education system, but in case of Pakistan, significant amount of time and resources is required for. Post COVID-19 may also teach us about how education sector requires possible changes to prepare our young learners as per anticipated needs with the confidence and fervor to hold a sustainable future. Hence, it is time to educate citizens in accordance with inter-connected world health and food issues rather than investing on unattractive and abstract nature of academic issues.
It also requires to inculcate modern teaching life skills combating future strategies, unlocking technology to deliver training and skills to meet both local and international demand, and expecting what the world is adopting modern means of educating youth. Suffice potential is available with Higher Education Sector of Pakistan to undertake challenges with pragmatic results. A concrete action plan is required to be initiated in view of past and future requirements in view of present pandemic.