A Sociological Analysis of Education as a Prerequisite for the Process of Development: A Case of Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

Abstract

Government of Pakistan has been constantly striving to perk up and stabilize the process of development. One of the major sectors which become the victim of negligence is education sector of Southern Punjab (Pakistan). The significance of education can be judged by the fact that literacy rate is an imperative parameter for Human Development Index (HDI). Education is the most imperative asset for enhancing human abilities and capabilities. At the micro level education is allied with huge income generating opportunities while at the macro level education fabricates skilled labor force and contributes to sustainable development. The new stipulate for increased professionalism on the part of education system is the major determinant of development for Pakistan. But regrettably the education sector of Pakistan is facing many challenges like low budget allocation, lack of accountability, pathetic potential for resource mobilization, poverty, gender discrimination, low quality education and weak policy framework. The researcher assembled the data from N1=600 respondents from affiliated schools of Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE). Interview schedule was used as a tool for data collection procedure for the purpose of research accomplishment cross sectional survey research design. Thus the researcher found that innovation, broad vision and market awareness are the major prerequisites of education in the contemporary world. Despite this education fabricated a tolerant society (equipped with skilled labor force and innovation process) by crafting new knowledge for the purpose of economic growth and sustainable development.