Suicide is the act of taking one's own life. Usually the person committing suicide is found to be suffering from absolute loss of hope and seeks refuge in ending his/her own life as means of escape from the miseries of life. Some may believe this to be cowardice, others to be an act of insanity. However, irrespective of the connotation the phenomenon carries, the fact remains that coming to a situation where positivity remains an unthinkable option, one commits suicide.

A decade ago, there were rising incidents of suicide among poor people who fell victim to the poor state-owned welfare system, where there was no relief for the unemployed people. Later, the phenomenon diffused in a section of society which comprised unemployed educated youth who after failing to find any jobs took their lives to save their families from hunger, poverty and embarrassment. Recently, the phenomenon took a new turn, although it is not totally unheard off, and crept into the very delicate and innocent section of the society-the youth.

The incidence of suicides among the students studying at various level of educational system in Pakistan is a more common occurrence in our society than we are willing to believe. That the youth of our country is faced with adversities, which lead them to such drastic steps, is a sad fact indeed. What's worse is the lack of awareness among students and consequently little thought devoted to the reasons that such incidents come into being. However, the following news item will surely ring a bell in the minds of most readers since it's one of the very rare suicide cases, which received prominence and provoked a need to address the issue in an effective manner instead of brushing it aside as just another unfortunate event.

Hasher Munawar, a fourth-year student of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) committed suicide by hanging himself with the ceiling fan inside the varsity hostel in Defence Police precincts on the 22nd of April this year.

The police said Hashir Munawar, resident of DHA Karachi, was studying at LUMS with Economics as major subject. Hashir could not perform well in the last quarter owing to which his GPA went down at the university and he was on probation. Since his GPA was not up to the required mark, even during probation, Hashir had been notified to discontinue his studies at the varsity before he committed the suicide.

Our religion declares suicide to be a sin and accordingly the society and the law of our country condemn it. A person attempting suicide is supposed to be a criminal eligible for a jail term and heavy financial penalty.

It is not a wonder then, that families of such victims do not report the incidents of suicides, which is why any estimates made for the rates of suicides in Pakistan are hard to reach and will always be underestimated. Not many studies were conducted in the recent past which could give any consolidated data of the trend of suicide among youth. However, a case study by Murad Moosa Khan, MRCPsych and Adnan Ali Haider, MD, MPH, PhD has revealed an assembled data of the number of reported suicides in Sindh, Pakistan between 1985 and 1999 (Table). Although almost a decade old, the data gives yearly breakdown of suicides during the past decade:

Over the years the trend of suicides has clearly been on the rise. In fact, it is also estimated that the figure of 2586 suicides reported in the 15 years span of 1987-1999 may well have been double the estimate.

Under such a scenario, to speculate the approximate number of students who end up wanting to commit suicides, simply cannot be made. However, what we can be sure of is that, there definitely is a lot of undue stress that the younger lot of our nation suffers because of some evident flaws in the education system of our country as well as inefficient parenting practices.

It is said: "Catch people doing the right thing, and let them know you have."

The practice of acknowledging the efforts of people around you and boosting their morale through letting them know that they are good at something, results in higher self-esteem and better efficiency at whatever people are doing or plan to do. Though every individual at every stage of life needs to receive some sort of appreciation for their performances at various levels, it is much more crucial in the upbringing of children.

Unfortunately, it is a general practice in our society that parents as well as teachers are very vigilant when it comes to telling the child off for things that he or she is not supposed to be doing. However, when it comes to the child doing something right it seems to go unnoticed since it's a considered a child's obligation and just the fact that the parent/teacher did not admonish him/her for it must be fruitful enough. The criterion of effective reinforcement, thus, is not something parents and teachers in our society are generally aware of. A single word of praise for a deed done right can do miracles for the self-esteem and confidence of a child. Getting good marks in a test has its importance, but if that very score is appreciated by the teachers and parents, it will mean a whole lot more to the child than just having the possession of that piece of paper reflective of success.

Since there is a huge sense of deprivation in children, and consequently adolescents and adults, when it comes to recognition for their efforts, our society has an extensive share of individuals with low self-esteems and high sense of insecurity. Furthermore, our education sector over the years has achieved little in terms of producing a system that would promote critical thinking and analytical or reasoning abilities among individuals. The assessment techniques adopted by the teachers are based on covering of the whole length of the course outline which is often very extensive and beyond the grasp of students because of the little effort made at the primary level to ensure sound concept building. Therefore, it is a common phenomenon to find students not being able to cope with the course work and having to rote learn the whole thing in order to manage to reproduce the material in papers. Sleepless nights, panic attacks and last minute fumbles causing excessive distress is something most students experience at the verge of examinations.

May it be the inefficiency of the system or the over-efficiency of institutes (in case of above mentioned institute and the likes), our society provides little space and understanding to the more sensitive and weaker lot of the generation. The minority of the brighter ones manage to secure the attention of the whole system, may it be the teachers, parents, their age fellows, relatives, or even media for that matter.

The parents who are well aware of the task waiting ahead of their children in the practical world find themselves demanding excellence at every cost from them giving them little space of their own. While on the other hand, teachers and institutes do not have the time or the patience to bear with the slower ones, since it much more convenient to centre attention on the brighter lot. Under such circumstances, the young students burdened with the expectations of the parents and the ruthlessness of the system at times succumb under the pressure and seek the only way out that they feel is right.

It is true that the world we live in has always been about the 'survival of the fittest' but that cannot be at the cost of the lesser-fit creations of God. We have to give acceptance and extend understanding to the more sensitive individuals who are forced to walk the path of the intense competition, which crumbles the slower ones in its race to success.

Asra Mujeeb, a medical student says: "I feel that it is the system that corners an individual into taking a drastic measure like suicide and thus it's the system which is the actual criminal and needs to be accountable."

Though the ethical aspect of the phenomenon of suicides is debatable but the obvious causes that are contributing towards its taking place are most definitely not. There is a need for parents and teachers alike to stop focussing on only the brighter minority of the generation and spare some thought and compassion for the majority of the mediocres and the weaklings. Every individual has something special waiting to be explored and in order for them to grow and prosper they only require recognition and appreciation at some odd moment or so from people who matter. It is despair and helplessness at a level unimaginable by people generally that causes young people like Hashir to give in to the pressures of society. "Live and let Live" is truly the call of the day in these times of increasing cutthroat competition.

1985 87 (70%) 37 (30%) 2.3 124

1986 73 (73%) 27 (27%) 2.7 100

1987 65 (72%) 25 (28%) 2.6 90

1988 78 (73%) 29 (27%) 2.6 107

1989 81 (76%) 25 (24%) 3.2 106

1990 80 (70%) 35 (30%) 2.2 115

1991 102 (71%) 41 (29%) 2.4 143

1992 106 (70%) 45 (30%) 2.3 151

1993 142 (75%) 48 (25%) 2.9 190

1994 144 (76%) 45 (24%) 3.2 189

1995 141 (71%) 59 (29%) 2.3 200

1996 148 (69%) 65 (31%) 2.2 213

1997 158 (68%) 76 (32%) 2.0 234

1998 179 (73%) 67 (27%) 2.6 246

1999 258 (72%) 102 (28%) 2.5 360

TOTAL 1842 726 2.5 2586

As the title suggests, being a good student is never an easy task! We as students try our level best to meet our academic requirements and at the same time participate in co-curricular activities, which are a vital part of educational life. Unfortunately, at times we fail to maintain a balance between the two. I think need of morality, poor time management, lack of organisation, focus, discipline and manners are a few reasons that are responsible for such a situation.

Punctuality

The word punctuality means to complete or finish any task or work given to you by anyone on time. In the light of this definition students need to ask themselves whether they are punctual or not? Do they go to school regularly and on time and do they complete their homework on time? In my opinion students of today are not punctual since they are too busy in other activities like TV, video games, computer, etc as a result of which they fail to pay attention to their studies and homework. I am not against such activities but I believe that in order to effectively enjoy your leisure time and to do well in studies at the same time students should divide their time between school work & activities, in a way that neither of them gets affected. Maintaining a balance between the two is the key. Better time management can help us use our time in a more constructive and ideal manner.

Unfortunately today, students do not value punctuality. They even fail to reach school on time. Over the years the number of absences in schools has also increased. Sadly, the students have become so non-serious that they don't even bother to give an application for their absence and instead give lame excuses which only make their own position weaker. Some of the famous excuses that are cited by the students are "we were attending a wedding and got home really late so were unable to attend school the next day" or "we weren't feeling well" etc.

Discipline

Discipline means to follow the instructions and guidelines in an appropriate manner. Unfortunately, students fail to perform according to the instructions that are given to them.

Discipline is the key ingredient in maintaining a healthy educational atmosphere. However, many students are indifferent towards this value and therefore end up creating problems not only for themselves but also for others. For example, indiscipline students always distract other students who are trying to learn and focus in the class. This destroys the tempo of the class and ends up annoying the teacher.

Students must realise that teaching and learning is a two way process. A teacher can only teach effectively when the students co-operate and maintain discipline in class.

Manner

Manners are something we learn from our home and from school as well. Your good or your bad habits are called manners.

Nowadays students especially in their teen years are observed to be very aggressive and stubborn. They have acquired a habit of continuous argument; sometimes on very petty issues, which only ends up in creating more problems.

On the contrary, students should carry themselves with a certain grace and should behave in such a manner that they set examples for others to follow.

Need of morality

For me, morality is the combination of good manners, decency and integrity, which makes a person a respectable member of the society. A person needs to be morally sound in order to achieve success because success without morality is temporary. All students must remember this and must try to inculcate this value in their behaviour.

All in all being a good student may seem like a difficult task but we must remember that as long as you are willing to learn and bring changes in your behaviour nothing is impossible. In order to achieve this goal take an objective look at yourself and accept your weakness. Once this is done, try to improve on them.

Imagine regime after regime, budget after budget and year after year, men at the helm of affairs continue to carve and claim a record budget for sustainable socio-economic development of the country, including an augmented focus on education. Have we ever pondered why, despite even positive intentions many a time, the state of the national economy continues to paint such a pathetic picture which needs to be addressed and not just projected over and over again. It is in our interest to examine our economic plans and priorities, including the much-needed focus on education from three different and distinct perspectives of our developmental outlook: First, what is being said? Secondly, what is being done? Thirdly, what needs to be done?

What is being said?

Like nearly every past government vowing a record budget, the previous budget was said to be a record budget in the history of Pakistan. It was stated that with the Federal government expenditure of Rs 1,353 billion, the budget for the year 2007-08 was unprecedented, especially in terms of expenditures on public welfare. Expenditure of this magnitude was said to be possible through greater revenue collection, especially by CBR, envisaged to exceed Rs 1025 billion.

It was claimed that the Budget 2007-08, with a record expenditure of Rs 1,353 billion, allocated another record Rs 520 billion on the development of infrastructure (52%) and public welfare (48%). With education being one of the top priorities in the welfare development plans, however, the national education budget for the year 2007 stood at a mere Rs 9556.442 million. It was confessed in Budget 2006-08, that it was difficult for a country to survive right up in the comity of nations without education. As such, it was stated that the government had increased the share of education to 4% of GNP. It was also noted that the education budget had registered an increase of 36% during the last two years.

Our planners had devised a number of educational reforms for 2007-08, as for example, earmarking Rs 772 million for 24 cadet colleges aimed at providing quality education to backward districts and a National Internship Program at the monthly rate of Rs 10,000/- per intern enabling youth to seek gainful employment in the private and public sector. Quality education, science education, education for all, leadership and institutionalisation, Primary, Secondary and Higher Education excellence have all been addressed in principle.

What is being done?

It has to be logically and honestly probed that what is being claimed is not reasonably delivered for a number of causes at the Education Division. These include late releases by Ministry of Finance, delays in site selection and acquiring land, inter-departmental differences, non-availability of technical staff, failures in appointing full-time project directors, delayed consultant reports, late issuance of work orders and late reports or requests for release of funds.

Sometimes allocations are made without completing the approval process, which results in undue delays. The Education Division and related ministries or departments have been unable to get these problems resolved. In 2007-08, the government has made allocations for 104 development schemes under the Education Division. Out of these, 19 schemes with total allocation of Rs 336 millions remained unapproved until the end of September 2007.

What needs to be done?

Our top development priority is affordable and accessible mass education and training towards a better quality of life. With half of the country's population illiterate, the majority of the 160 million Pakistanis living in rural areas and involved with agriculture, the ideal focus would have been on appropriate education for rural child/village youth. With the country producing 250,000 skilled workers annually as against the required one a million technical work force, the shortfall of 750,000 skilled workers also need to be met with formal and affordable vocational training programs.

Diogenes Laertius rightly said, "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." A good education makes a crucial contribution in the development of any individual's successful professional career. With an improvement in the professional prospects of the individuals in a society, it goes without saying that the whole country gets to reap the benefits of an efficient and productive human resource.

However, in order to have a good supply of skilful and effective manpower it is essential that the country provides its people ample opportunities to develop their skills and have access to quality education at affordable rates at least up to the level of Matriculation.

The annual budget for the present year has given us no reason whatsoever to rejoice about any of its aspects. With the amount of inflation that is taking place, the poor are finding it hard to survive due to the rise in the prices of even the basic consumption commodities. Though, this budget's prime focus was to provide relief to the poor, there has not been any indication of betterment in the state of the survival of the deprived class of people so far. Having stated that, it is very understandable that most of the ministries are not satisfied with the share of budget allotted to them.

Most of all it is the education budget of this year that has caused a lot of unrest among the community of teachers, educationists, and all the people connected with the academic structure of our country. This year's budget has clearly exposed the priorities of the government as it has earmarked Rs 24.6 billion for the education sector in the federal budget for 2008-09, which is just Rs100 million more than last year's. Despite of all the promises of better education opportunities for the children of the lesser privileged class and special focus on the women's education the present budget allocation has made even the maintenance of the present dismal level of education a hard task.

The rest of the world, especially the developing nations like us, is increasingly concentrating on the improvement of the education level of their masses. While in our country the educationists are always left with hope for betterment in terms of expenditure on the education sector. Even though it was the mandate of our national education policy 1998-2010, the citizens of our country do not have the facility of providing primary education to their children free of cost. Let alone free education, the standard that is maintained at government schools in the name of cheaper education rates, is not capable of grooming students of any standing in the practical world. Only the ones who cannot afford private schools end up sending their children to public schools and even in doing so their children do not gain anything to make them eligible in competing with the products of private schools. Under such circumstances any hopes with regard to the future of our nation seems dismal indeed.

There is no denying the fact that only through the education of our masses, can we hope to move forward in today's world of technology. However, so far our governments have failed in initiating any steps which would indicate educational advancement in the near future. The syllabus, the standard of teachers, the phenomenon of 'ghost schools', the level of poverty which restricts literacy etc. are all factors which have been there from the day of inception of our country and in the 60 years of independence we have yet to succeeded in battling any one of the problems effectively.

According to the Ministry of Education a literate person has been defined as "One who can read newspaper and write a simple letter in any language." In this respect the literacy rate of 47% projected by our government seems to be obviously a gross over-estimation of literacy in our country. The level of education available to the masses of Pakistan (besides the few privileged urban masses) is not in any way capable of helping them in creating a place for themselves among the educated class of people.