National Internship Program – The End??
Our new democratic, elected government of the 160 million of Pakistan has essentially done nothing, nor had any plans in their election campaigns, for promoting the higher education sector. Legal or not, call it dictatorship or martial law, Musharraf regime, perhaps, saw the best time for the development, expansion and growth of the higher education sector in the country. Whether statistics prove it or not (they do prove it though!), all students can claim this without any doubt. The best act was setting up the HEC under Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman.
To nurture these budding graduates the government also initiated the National Internship Program (NIP). This was advertised nicely with lots of banners noticed in different parts of major cities. The program became an instant hit. I know of 6 people (among 25,000 who joined the program) who benefited from NIP and gained valuable experience along with a stipend of Rs. 10,000 a month. So far, so good.
But the new government has stopped the proceedings of NIP. The NIP office itself isn’t sure of the future while the prospective graduates aren’t expecting much either. A member of the coalition government hinted at a television program that they have discovered lots of irregularities in the program and are looking into it. That’s the excuse these guys have for almost every issue. Instead of improving the goods of the previous government, our tradition says to completely stop them and announce them as corrupt practices.
The only thing the new government is looking at is the issue of deposed judges, and in my personal view, that too is the issue of one party with the other being extremely non-serious.
So the government, in reality, is moping around. And playing with the future, our future.
5 comments
They are wasting precious time when we should really be working hard to keep up with our neighbors.
The Musharraf era was the best Pakistan ever saw. Agar Musharraf ne “khaya hai” to khilaya bhi hai!
The truth is that we’re way behind our neighbors in every aspect (positive). Just look at where their universities rank and then look at ours. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is among the best in the world, do we have even one of those?
The NIP was a golden opportunity for the young grads to have some hands-on experience and then find jobs based on that. Apparently, the present government doesn’t care.
Our people need to have skills. Poverty can never be eliminated so people must be taught skills to be able to earn money. Most of the reforms in the Mush-era focused on this.
when we say that we have to proceed we must keep education sector in our mind.all minor and major improvement must b included in the present govenment program
leave NIP guys and sisters . Go for another b4 leaving it. b/c ppp ko aney ki jaldi aur jane ki jaldi hoti ha.