| This thesis analyzes the failures of Pakistan's educational system and proposes concrete measures to reform it, drawing on local models that have proven successful. Specifically, it seeks to determine a link between U.S. security and a functional primary education system in the state of Pakistan. UNICEF and other global human rights institutions show that educating girls is one of the most lasting ways to increase stability, prosperity, and peace. When girls have the opportunity to obtain an education, their standard of living rises and their families have a better chance of escaping the cycle of poverty. There is a concern within the U.S. that the growing threat of terrorism is being bred among the villages in Pakistan where both education and employment opportunities are non-existent.The education system in Pakistan is unregulated, underfunded and in need of a complete overhaul. Pakistan has consistently spent less than 2% GDP on education, less than any developed nation outside of Africa. That combined with an exploding population has created an environment rich with uneducated and unemployed youth, who are currently being recruited into the anti-American insurgency known as the Taliban.U.S. interests in Pakistan have fluctuated and have primarily been based upon military strategy in surrounding countries. After the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, the U.S. began providing millions of dollars in unaccounted for financial aid without any apparent benefit. More recent legislation regarding U.S. aid to Pakistan included the House Resolution PEACE Act 2009 provides aid to Pakistan with some directed at improving the education system, but previous efforts at reforming the education system have failed.There are small scale success stories of individuals or small groups instituting change from the grassroots, including the Central Asia Institute, The Citizens Foundation and the National Solidarity Program. These programs adapt change from the local level, sidestepping the corrupt infrastructure of the Pakistani government and have proven successful. These groups are providing opportunities to children where the government of Pakistan had failed to offer any.The U.S. government must use caution in attempting to intervene in Pakistan's internal governing, but there are several possible actions the U.S. can implement to build on the successes of the grassroots organizations on a large scale and redefine the standards of education from the ground up. It is in the interest of U.S. security to contribute to the improvement of Pakistan's education system. The thesis concludes with some obstacles and challenges the U.S. can expect in working with the Pakistani government to implement changes. |
