The analysis of the recent intermediate exam results offers an intriguing perspective on the need to reimagine business education in Pakistan. In the field of commerce, 27% of the students who passed the exams achieved A+ and A grades, while a staggering 61% managed to pass with B (20%), C (22%), and D (19%) grades. Unfortunately, this 60% segment is often overlooked and not adequately addressed in the strategies of business schools in Pakistan.
A majority of these students come from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and their modest grades can be attributed, in part, to limited access to affordable quality education at the primary and tertiary levels, as well as inequitable exposure to learning and grooming opportunities. They often lack the confidence and command of the English language, which hinders their chances of being considered by top-tier business schools.
In their pursuit of establishing themselves as top-class institutions, the so-called first-tier business schools remain selective in their student intake, focusing on those who already meet the grade, persona, and English language requirements. This exclusionary approach has detrimental effects, denying career prospects to deserving students, undermining entrepreneurial activity in the country, and creating a shortage of quality human capital for small and medium enterprises.
One argument could be that, with their lower grades, these students should consider vocational training, agriculture, or startup options instead of aiming for further business education. However, a closer examination of the socio-educational dynamics reveals that none of these options hold significant promise.
