STRESS

Stress is a complex concept that encompasses various physical, mental, and emotional responses to external pressures or internal challenges. It is a natural and inevitable part of human life, something that each of us experiences differently and reacts to in our own unique ways. Although stress can often be viewed negatively, it serves as an important driving force that helps us adapt and cope with the demands of our constantly evolving environment.

Physiologically, stress triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare our bodies for emergency situations. This "fight or flight" response includes increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, heightened alertness, and enhanced energy levels. In short bursts, this response can be advantageous, helping us tackle immediate threats or overcome obstacles. However, when stress becomes chronic and prolonged, it can have detrimental effects on our well-being.

Mentally and emotionally, stress can manifest as feelings of over whelmedness, anxiety, irritability, or even depression. It can affect our thoughts, decision-making abilities, and overall cognitive function. Excessive stress can lead to difficulty concentrating, memory problems, decreased productivity, and impaired judgment. It can also create a vicious cycle, as the impact stress has on our mental health can further exacerbate stress levels.

External factors that contribute to stress can vary greatly, ranging from work-related pressures, financial troubles, relationship issues, academic demands, to major life events such as moving, loss of a loved one, or medical problems. Similarly, internal factors can play a significant role, including our personality traits, coping mechanisms, resilience, and overall mental and physical health.

Everyone has their own unique stress threshold and coping mechanisms, meaning that what may be stressful for one person may be exciting or manageable for another. Therefore, it is essential to recognize and respect individual differences in stress tolerance levels while providing support and resources to help individuals navigate through stressful situations.

Managing stress is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. Numerous strategies can be employed to mitigate stress levels and cultivate a healthier response to life's challenges. These techniques may include engaging in regular physical exercise, practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, seeking social support from friends and family, maintaining a balanced lifestyle, prioritizing self-care, and adopting healthy coping mechanisms, like time management and problem-solving skills.

It is important to note that stress is not always negative. In fact, moderate levels of stress can serve as a motivator, driving us to perform better, meet deadlines, and achieve our goals. This is known as "eustress" or positive stress. However, maintaining a balance between eustress and distress is essential, as constant exposure to high levels of stress can lead to burnout, decreased resilience, and adverse effects on both our physical and mental health.

In conclusion, stress is a multifaceted concept that affects us in numerous ways. It can elicit both positive and negative responses, and its impact depends on various internal and external factors. Managing stress effectively is essential to maintain a healthy and balanced life, enabling us to adapt and thrive in the face of life's challenges.

Literacy rate in Pakistan

 The literacy rate in Pakistan has been steadily increasing over the years.  According to recent data, the literacy rate is estimated to be around 60%.  However, it is essential to note that this figure may vary depending on the source and the specific region within Pakistan.  The Pakistani government has been taking various initiatives to improve literacy rates, with a particular focus on female education.  Efforts such as the establishment of more schools, the provision of scholarships, and the promotion of adult literacy programs have played a crucial role in enhancing literacy rates in the country.  Despite these advancements, there is still work to be done to ensure a higher literacy rate for all Pakistanis in the future.

 At a time when more than 23 million children are out of school, the government spent only 1.7 percent of GDP on education last year, while the literacy rate was recorded at just over 62 percent.

With reference to the Pakistan Economic Survey, it was mentioned that the literacy rate in the country was recorded at 62.8 percent, in which the rate of males is 73.4 percent and that of females is 51.9 percent.

The survey said that the total education expenditure of the federal and provincial governments in the fiscal year 2022 was estimated at 1.7 percent of the GDP.

During the year 2020-21, 158 thousand 400 teachers were working in 7.1 thousand higher secondary schools at the national level.

Apart from this, this period saw an increase of 4.5% in the total enrollment of students in higher secondary education compared to 2220 thousand in 2019, after which the number stood at 2320 thousand.

According to the survey, government projects and initiatives aimed at introducing 'uniform curriculum', capacity building of teachers, establishment, renovation and upgradation of schools and colleges, mainstreaming of religious education, skill development and community development.  It is to promote awareness among different sections, especially among the youth.

 The survey said that "Pakistan's literacy, enrollment and other education indicators are gradually improving but without the active participation of all stakeholders, especially the private sector, improvement in the education sector cannot be achieved".

The survey revealed that out-of-school children are 32 percent, in which more girls are deprived of education than boys.

It added that the rate of out-of-school children is 47% in Balochistan, followed by 44% in Sindh, 32% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 24% in Punjab.

 The survey said that efforts are being made to bring out-of-school children into schools and improve the quality of education and focus on primary and college education to make the young generation competitive from an early age.

The survey stated that Pakistan is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on the quality of education, including equitable education, elimination of discrimination, provision, and upgrading of infrastructure, skills development for sustainable development.  , including universal literacy, increasing the number and quality of teachers.

 Pakistan's progress so far on target 4 is 67 percent, 47 percent and 23 percent in primary, lower and upper secondary education respectively.

 It states that due to limited resources and financial constraints, the due diligence given to the education sector is not what it should be.

 During the fiscal year 2022, expenditure on education-related activities has seen an increase of 37.3 percent and has increased from Rs.