The Education System and Educational Policy Discourse in Pakistan

Abstract

The history of educational policy making in Pakistan is one of laments, broken promises, and tall claims. Each successive government accuses the previous government of not being serious and committed to the educational cause of the nation. Each successive government promises to raise literacy levels to new (often unattainable) heights. Each regime promises to put in more money and allocate more resources to education. And each successive policy makes loud claims of harmonizing education with the principles of Islam. Yet, in real terms, education in Pakistan has remained largely underdeveloped both in quantitative as well as in qualitative terms. The questions that arise are: Why is the situation so bleak now and historically when it comes to educating the citizens? Are the governments, politicians, and bureaucrats not well-intentioned people? Do they intentionally make false promises? Are the educational planners actually not committed to the cause of raising literacy and educational levels and empowering the people of Pakistan?