PAKISTAN lags far behind other countries for several reasons, including some decisions and favours that are made and provided in the name of equality. A case in point is financial aid that is nothing less than a burden on an economically weak country.

While many may disagree, I believe giving financial aid to deserving students without a loan or foreign aid is not logical. Students who receive such grants are provided with free education, which burdens both the government and the university.

Unless there is a strong backing of the government with sufficient finances, such assistance does not make much sense. It depletes the resources of educational institutions, adversely affects their expansion and facilities, and may lead to lower salaries of staff, together bringing down the standard and ranking of the institutions. Most of our government schools are in a terrible state for the same reason.

Besides, merit-based scholarships should be given on that very basis alone regardless of the financial status of students. The government is already providing education at nominal rates through public-sector universities. It is absurd to provide financial assistance to students so they can attend another expensive university.

Moreover, the government’s misplaced generosity in this regard also costs the country a great deal. Although the country could not afford financial assistance for outsiders, it gave scholarships to Afghan students. According to the Pakistan Foreign Office, 50,000 Afghans have already graduated from Pakistani universities and have returned to their country.

Pakistan is a developing country struggling with a number of challenges, including meagre financial resources and limited seats in educational institutions. It should prioritise its people instead of depriving them of opportunities for the sake of others. Surely, other developed nations can help accommodate them better.

Maryam Arif
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2022