A Study Of The Rapid Growth Of O And A Levels Of Education In Pakistan

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the views of students, parents and teachers regarding the rapid growth of ordinary “O” and advanced “A” level education systems and its implications for Pakistan. The main objective of study was to identify the importance of and social acceptance of “O” and “A” level education system in Pakistan. The population of the study was all “O” and “A” level schools, “O” and “A” level students, and their parents and teachers in Pakistan. The sample of the study was 45 schools, 230 teachers, 450 “O” and “A” level students, and their parents. The sample of the study was drawn from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. For the collection of data, three questionnaires, one each for “O” and “A” level students, their parents and the teachers of “O” and “A” level were developed. Three structured interviews - one each for “O” and “A” level students, their parents and the teachers were designed. Data were also collected through personal visits. For the analysis of data, percentage and chi square as contingency test were used. From this analysis, it was concluded that the rapid growth of “O” and “A” level education in Pakistan was due to better learning, fair examination system, advanced and better curriculum, easy admission in foreign universities, provision of quality education, better learning environment, knowledge based education system, status symbol for family, flexible scheme of studies, up-to-date, comprehensive and informative courses, international acceptance and recognition, better professional careers and dynamic future for students. It was also found that “O” and “A” level education was expensive in Pakistan with the majority of the students belong to the elite class.