Women in Economy

By A. H. Mumtaz

Nations cannot develop without investing in education. On one hand, education improves the standards of living by speeding up economic growth. On the other, it reduces poverty by increasing productivity growth.

Education is an essential part of human capability and power. It improves organisational and managerial skills of individuals. An educated labour force is critical to the adoption of advanced technology and the latest techniques of production.

In Pakistan, the education sector has always been ignored. Education faces a number of problems, both in the private and public sector. A low level of investment in education, poor condition of educational institutes in the public sector and high tuition fees in private sector educational institutes are the main deterrents to the development of education and human capital in Pakistan.

In the human development rating, Pakistan ranks 144 among 175 countries. Government expenditure on education remains 2.2 percent. A research survey shows that 76 percent of the adult female population in Pakistan is illiterate. Among 8.2 million children who are not in school, a staggering 5.9 million are girls. About 57 percent girls, as compared to 89 percent boys, attend school.

The female literacy rate in Pakistan is the lowest in the world. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey, female literacy was only 8.2 percent in 1961. In 20092010, the overall literacy rate increased by 57.4 percent and female literacy rate stood at 45.2 percent as compared to 69.5 percent male literacy. It was 58 percent in 20102011 (i.e. 69 percent for males and 46 percent for females).

Educated women contribute more efficiently to the economy and, in doing so, positively impact economic growth. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, in the 1980s, only 11.2 percent women were part of the labour force as compared to 14.3 percent in the 1990s. Currently, about 21.8 percent women participate in the Pakistani economy.

In Pakistan, social and human development as well as gender equality can be achieved by promoting education among women. A great number of empirical studies have shown that an increase in womens education boosts their wages, while lower female education has a negative impact on economic growth as it lowers the average level of human capital.

Gender inequality in education has a negative and significant effect on economic growth. For example, researcher Shabbir Chaudhry argues that the inclusion of trained and educated women in the workforce will not only guarantee womens welfare, it will also increase the overall productivity of the workforce in Pakistan. Hence, it is beneficial for the country to spend more resources on womens education.

The significant question then is whether education improves economic growth in Pakistan. It is important to analyse the relationship between economic growth, which is measured as real GDP per capita, and a list of variables that include public sector expenditure on education, private expenditure on education, female literacy rate, fertility rate and women labour force participation rate. The analysis is based on time series data for the period between 1980-81 and 2009-10. Data was collected from various issues of the Pakistan Economic Survey and World Bank reports.

The results indicate that one percent increase in government sector expenditure and private sector expenditure on education increases economic growth by 37 percent and 33 percent, respectively. This establishes a strong connection between economic growth and investment in education.

Similarly, it is found that one percent increase in the literacy rate of women increases economic growth by 17 percent. This means that a higher rate of literacy among women enhances economic growth. This is so because literate women may play a more productive role in the development of the economy as compared to illiterate women. Furthermore, increase in the participation of women in the labour force by one percent increases real GDP growth by 5.7 percent.

High birth rate is another important cause of lower per capita real GDP growth rate. This may be because women having a low fertility rate maintain their working potential and hence contribute significantly in increasing economic growth. It is found that one percent increase in fertility rate causes a 2.6 percent decrease in economic growth.

To speed up the pace of economic growth in Pakistan, we need to increase spending on education, in the government sector and private sector, which may lead to higher real GDP growth per capita; Second, literacy rate among women may be increased by facilitating them to take admissions in educational institutes and by lowering the tuition fee; Finally with the provision of better job opportunities and a more conducive working environment, women may be encouraged to participate more in economic activities.

In this article author A. H. Mumtaz discuss the four main things which are

1: Importance of education

2: Education system in Pakistan 3: Importance of women education 4: Role of women in economic sector

Importance OF EDUCATION
Education is a social instrument through which man can guide his destiny and shape his future. An uneducated man cannot become a part of development. Islam makes it compulsory for every man and woman to get education. in the modern age, nations desirous of progress spend huge amounts on education. Education occupies a fundamental place in the development of a country. Education is the most constructive factor for any society as it opens new horizons for the people to perceive things in different dimensions. A nation cannot properly understand national aims and goals, if the majority of people remain uneducated. They cannot understand the value of unity and discipline in life and remain unaware of the latest advancements. Education improves human, Physical and other resources which further improve the factors of production. So, it is important to set a proper system for education. Education plays an important role in the socio-economic development of a country. Many problems of severe nature take birth in societies where education is given least importance. In other words, education is the prime mover of all progress whereas illiteracy is the real ene my and obstacle to a countrys development. The importance of education can be judged from the facts that an educated nation always moving in the right direction. Whereas, an illiterate nation fails to identify even its real issues of the society; leave alone the question and methodology regarding their solution. There is no concept of progress and development without education. All development countries have high literacy rate.

Education system in Pakistan

Pakistan inherited the system of education from British but after that no significant changes has been brought in education system of Pakistan. Consequently, the literacy rates have become less than the regional countries which got independence abreast of Pakistan. According to the Education Report 2009, it shows overall figures on education, literacy rate rose to 67 percent in 2009-10 than it was 57 per cent at the period of 1998-99. Out of literacy rate, male literacy stood 68 percent and female 58 per cent in 2009-10. Female literacy rate was 57 per cent in 200809. Therefore, a slight one per cent increase was recorded during the period of 2009-10.

Literacy rate is measured from the prevailing level of education in the country. There are five education levels are operating in Pakistan, primary, middle, high schooling, intermediate and university education..Education in Pakistan is overseen by the government's Ministry of Education and the provincial governments Another division of Education System in Pakistan according to the School System
Public Schools or Government Schools

These schools are managed and financed by the government. Unfortunately, the majority of the schools are in poor condition. There is no any merit system; teachers and other staff are appointed by the ministers on their own wishes. There is no any accountability; a large number of GHOST SCHOOLS AND GHOST TEACHERS are listed in the documents. They are receiving funds and pays, but, in reality they did not exists. In Rural areas, the buildings of public schools are mostly held by Waderas and Feudal. They use them as marriage halls, otaks, bethaks etc. Public schools are the nurseries of all vice and immorality. (Henry Fielding)
Elite Class Schools (private schools)

Due to badly failure of government in providing the Education, the Elite Class Education System in Pakistan got successes very quickly. Today, even poor prefer to send their child in these private schools but because of high fee structure many aspirants are unable to part this Education System. It is generally accepted that, the standard of Elite Class Education System is more reliable and first-rate than Public Schools and Madarsas. There is accountability, transparency and checking system. Generally, the students of private schools are more competent than those of public schools and Madarsas. The government should take lessons from this Education System.
Madarsas

Madarsas are the largest NGOs of the world. Today in Pakistan about 8000 Madarsas are working. They provide not only Education but also accommodation and food. They provide Islamic as well as worldly Education. Mostly, poor parents who are unable to educate their child prefer this Education System. The government should introduce the reforms for the Madarsas and improve their standard. This will be helpful in two ways. Firstly, it will provide free of cost education to poor child. Secondly, it will lessen the burden the government.

Before the 18th Amendment, the Education System in Pakistan was the responsibility of Federal Government. The Ministry of Education at Federal level was responsible for formulating Policies, Planning and Promotion of Educational facilities across the country. But, after the passing of 18th Amendment, the responsibilities of Education System are divided among the Federation and the Provinces. . It is hard to believe that without development in education, Pakistan would be able to achieve excellence in important fields of society. The solution to all our major social, political, economic and religious problems lies in giving due attention to education. Mass illiteracy in Pakistan has given birth to many problems like poverty, unemployment, over-population, beggary and terrorism. Such towering problems can be tackled only with the help of education. Once the country would achieve a satisfactory level of education, we would certainly be in a position to strengthen ourselves economically, socially and politically. Without sound education system in Pakistan, development of the country would remain a far cry.

Pakistans education system remains failed in educating the common people. Lack of management, poor polices and bad planning are the causes while corruption also plays its role in destroying the education system.Pakistan is one of the eight countries in the whole world that spend less than 2% of GDP on education. Pakistan has lots of educational institutions but the problem is that all of them are not well-groomed and cannot compete with todays educational requirements. If some private institutions provide quality education, they are out of common publics reach. There is great difference in the rates of enrollment of boys, as compared to girls in Pakistan. According to UNESCO figures, primary school enrolments for girls stand at 60 percent as compared to 84 per cent for boys. The secondary school enrolment rate stands at a lower rate of 32 per cent for females and 46 per cent males. Regular school attendance for female students is estimated at 41 per cent while that for male students is 50 per cent In my point of view, the most awful thing in our education system is the division of Education in different levels. There is a major difference between private and public education. Even after 66 years of independence, we do not have a syllabus for all. There are English, Urdu and Religious divisions which create confusion and chaos in the society. So, there must be equal education for all so that there might not be any difference between rich and poor. Pakistan needs to impose emergency in education sector through right policies and proper planning otherwise Pakistans survival is in danger. If Pakistan wants to grow, it needs major reforms in education system. In Pakistan Only 18% of Pakistani women have received 10 years or more of schooling. Among other criticisms the Pakistani education system faces is the gender disparity in enrollment levels. However, in recent years some progress has been made in trying to fix this problem. In 1990-91, the female to male ratio (F/M ratio) of enrollment was 0.47 for primary level of education. It reached to 0.74 in 1999-2000, showing the F/M ratio has improved by 57.44% within the decade. For the middle level of education it was 0.42 in the start of decade and increased to 0.68 by the end of decade, so it has improved almost 62%. In both cases the gender disparity is decreased but relatively more rapidly at middle level. The gender disparity in enrollment at secondary level of education was 0.4 in 1990-91 and 0.67 in 1999-2000, showing that the disparity decreased by 67.5% in the decade. At the college level it was 0.50 in 1990-91 and reached 0.81 in 1999-2000, showing that the disparity decreased by 64%. The gender disparity has decreased comparatively rapidly at secondary school.

Issues and Problems About Education:

Lack of Knowledge / guidance:- Here are the most unguided student in the Pakistan. Neither the parent

due to their ignorance nor the teachers due to lack of professionalism are able to guide them. Lack of guidance/Knowledge is very serious problem which student face in our country in Pakistan education maximum parents are uneducated so they cant guide their children better.
Educational System:- The educational system of Pakistan is based on unequal lines. Medium of education

is different in both, public and private sector. This creates a sort of disparity among people, dividing them into two segments.
Lack of Technical Education:- lack of technical education is a biggest flaw in the educational policy that

has never been focused before. Therefore, less technical people mean less.

Untrained Teachers:- There are teachers in government schools are not well trained. When People who do

not get job in any other sector, then they try their luck in educational system. They are not professionally trained teachers so they are unable to train a nation.
Psychological problems:- Students due to high expectations of their families and absence of guidance for

both the parents and students experience a lot of psychological stress, which has a retarding effect on their growth.
Less education budget & obsolete examination system.etc

Literacy Rate Of Pakistan:

PAKISTAN = 55 % (Male = 67 %, Female = 42%) Province Literacy Rate Punjab= 60.2% Sindh = 57.7% NWFP = 49.9% Baluchistan = 48.8%

Importance of women education:As we all know education is very important for both genders but without women education, no society can thrive smoothly. In the contemporary times, it is
necessary that both men and women work together to meet the financial needs of their family otherwise it is impossible to enjoy all the facilities of life. After the industrialization, women rights are the hotly debated at all possible forums to improve the life style and standard of the female members of the society. Without women education this dream cannot be materialized as they will lag behind in this regard. In this article according to the research it is proved that if there is increase in womens education it will boosts their wages while if there is a decrease in womens education it has a negative effect on the economy and it also lower the average level of human capital.

Role of women in economy:Women play essential role in the economic development of a country. Economy can only be developed if both genders are taking active part in the economic activities of the country. In this article it is stated that if there is one percent increase in government sector expenditure and private sector expenditure its raise economic growth by 37% and 33% respectively. Similarly it is found that one percent increase in literacy rate of women increase economic growth by 17 percent and if women are increased by one percent in labor force it will increase real GDP growth by 5.7 percent.

Conclusion:In the end it is concluded that economy can be increased by spending more on education in both sectors. Literacy rate among women may be increased by providing better facilities and by lowering the tuition fee and by doing all these things we can encourage women to participate more in economic activities which is beneficial for the country.