There is no denying that country's public sector education system is in a shambles for the past three decades. According to experts, an ailing educational system is a core reason for the smothering employment status, be it youth or adult population. In the light of what is happening around the emerging world, the younger population in Pakistan is not only the victim of structural unemployment but has also surrendered to underemployment.

The lack of educational facilities, especially in the rural areas, has been a lingering problem for decades along with minimal access to quality primary and higher education. Skill development has been insufficient, and it does not go without saying that the 15-24 aged youth population is gradually losing direction.

An important youth-specific challenge is the jittery transition from education to work. This delay in switching from school to labour market has left many young people looking for temporary and part-time contractual employment in the informal sector. Though these jobs do provide them some financial support, many of these jobs are usually underpaid with no job security.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012