THE deteriorating standard of education in Pakistan is cause enough to make any sensible countryman sweat with worry. The misplaced priorities of successive governments have badly stifled the growth of education. Admittedly, the present day edifice that includes both primary and higher education is in a shambles. Although the Salam Teachers Day was celebrated around the country with much fanfare, the plight of the teachers' community beggars description. Except for a few elite centres of education in our urban areas, it would be safe to say that the professionals in the field, from schools to universities, represent mediocrity. The meagre amount of funds for the sector is one of the major causes of the decline. The best brains in the profession keep on fleeing abroad in pursuit of greener pastures. Consequently, those with bare minimum skills and knowledge are left to run the show. Hardly do we seem to realize the fact that providing cheap education to all is one of the primary obligations of a state. In the developed world, education is the preserve of the state. In USA for example, education till the 12th grade is free. These nations indeed are aware of the role a sound education system can play in their overall development and progress. Our ruling elite on the contrary has put the issue on the backburner. While no Pakistani university is included in the 500 top universities of the world, a parallel system of education at home has greatly deepened class divisions. The private sector, with skyrocketing fee structure and a seminary network, has stepped in to fill the void created by the state. Bothered by this dismal picture Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has called for preventing the system from further chaos. He got it right when he touched on the issue of low salaries of teachers. It is no doubt heartening that the CJ has championed this cause. The executive, however, would have to think deep over its criminal neglect of a most basic duty.