Development of a nation depends upon its system of education and Pakistan assigns high priority to a quality and accessible education system for its people: ‘The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years in such manner as may be determined by law’ (Article 25-A 18^th Amendment 2010). Pakistan has also made international commitments to provide basic, quality education to all as a fundamental right (PILDAT 2010). This paper will explore causes of the low status of Pakistan in terms of Human Development Index (HDI) in light of Education for All (EFA) (UNESCO 2010) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) using qualitative methods. All relevant national and international documents, research studies, discussions and education policies will be reviewed to develop an understanding of quality education.

Pakistan’s education system will be analysed in comparison to other developing countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. It is hoped that the results will help us understand the implementation mechanism of the National Education Policy 2009, and education as a provincial subject following the 18^th Amendment in Constitution of Pakistan. This study may help identify areas of concern like community involvement, role of parent-teacher councils, professional development of teachers and principals, teacher educators and trainers in order to improve access to quality primary education in Pakistan.

References

PILDAT 2010, ‘Financing Quality Basic Education in Pakistan’, Briefing Paper No. 38, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency, pp. 7-9.