Educational Conundrums of Pakistan - "another Brick in the Wall?"
By FAISAL BARI

The Book 'Conundrums of Education" is one of its kind in bringing together a myriad of educational issues, highlighted by the author responding to the urgency of the given moment in time. As a collection of newspaper articles and bounded in time in that sense, it remains relevant as our educational 'conundrum" persists. The book covers a wide spectrum of educational issues at macro, meso and micro levels across educational strata, At macro level, the book explores policy and governance issues and educational budgeting. At meso level, of concern is the quality of teaching and learning in classrooms and the poor standard of assessments and at the micro level it is the impact of educational polices and structures on individuals, especially those from socioeconomically marginalized communities. The latter made all the more alive and relatable through capturing of moving personal anecdotes. The appeal is made not only to the mind but also the heart and that is the beauty of the work. Throughout the chapters, one can see the arguments kneaded through by a sensitive intellectual mind that is committed to raise our consciousness and nudge us out of apathy and neoliberal individualistic thought patterns, towards a collective concern with education for all. Even if critics would argue for the time boundedness of the collected articles, the work provides a valuable historical vantage point to assess the progress we have made towards education, keeping true to our pledge in the Article 25 A of our constitution. These concerns whether about poor quality of local standardized tests, large scale failures in exams, hollowness of grades or lack of second chances, stem from a genuine commitment and belief in the right to education for all. The book underscores the need for soul searching and question the subtle boundaries that are drawn to define who comprises the 'all' in Education for All. The simple language and the analytical depth that comes from the rich experience of the author of around 30 years of university teaching and research, gives the book the power to speak persuasively to everyone.