IMPLEMENTATION OF DEVOLUTION PLAN IN EDUCATION SECTOR IN PAKISTAN: VARIATIONS ACROSS PROVINCES AND DISTRICTS

Abstract

The research aimed at studying the implementation of Devolution Plan in education sector in Pakistan and identifying variations across the provinces and districts. The research study was descriptive in nature for which a survey was conducted through questionnaires and data collected from different stake-holders. The objectives of the study were: To identify nature and extent of decentralization in education sector at provincial and district level, to find out the variations in the nature of decentralization and the devolution of decision making across the provinces and across districts within a single province and identify the problems/difficulties in the implementation of the process and achievement of the laid down objectives. The population of study comprised all Executive District Officers (Education), District Officers (Secondary Education), Heads of Higher Secondary Schools and Subject Specialists and Heads of Secondary and Secondary School Teachers in Baluchistan viiProvince. The sample of the study comprised, 87 EDOs and DOs, 348 Heads of higher secondary and secondary schools and 870 subject specialists and SST of different 87 districts of four provinces of Pakistan. For the purpose of the data collection, four questionnaires were prepared in consultation with the Supervisor and other experts in the field. The questionnaires were improved by 14 experts in the field of education particularly in educational planning and management. These questionnaires were, later on, pilot-tested on five percent of the population of four provinces not included in the sample. After getting feedback and comments/views of pilot testing/launching, the questionnaires were revised and improved. For the purpose of the data collection, 71 persons were identified and imparted training to act as research assistants in all the four provinces of Pakistan. For this purpose, their qualification, experience and affiliation with AIOU and the field of research were kept in view. The Vice-Chancellor of AIOU issued a D.O. letter to Provincial Education Secretaries of all the Provinces of Pakistan to facilitate the researcher/research assistants in data collection for this national level study. In response thereof, the Provincial Secretariats and Directorates issued directives to the EDOs, DEOs, Heads and SSs to fully cooperate with the researcher/research assistants in collection of data. By enclosing the copy of the letter of provincial education department with the questionnaires the data were collected by the identified research assistants and the researcher. The collected data were presented and tabulated in chapter IV. Different statistical tools including percentages, Chi-square, were applied to analyze the data. Major findings of the study indicated that there are variations in the implementation of devolution plan in education sector in all the four provinces of the country. The situation in Punjab and NWFP was comparatively better. The findings also revealed viiivariations at district level, particularly in Baluchistan and Sindh. Major conclusions of the study indicated that political interference in the educational affairs at district level was a common problem in all the provinces. Lack of adequate resources, manpower, capacity building and teacher training was also common problem. The study concluded that the political interference in the educational affairs at district level needs to be looked into by the provincial and federal governments. Sufficient funds may be placed at the disposal of the EDOs for ensuring better functioning of the present system. The EDOs may be empowered by giving them all the authorities of the educational set up at district levels. The powers may be further devolved up to Tehsil, Union Council and institution level so that the teachers and the local community may directly take up the educational activities based on their realistic decisions and with the active involvement of communities in their respective districts. The training of the EDOs, DEOs, heads of the Institutions and Subject Specialists/SSs may be arranged through Academy of Educational Planning and Management and Educational Planning Policy Studies and Leadership Department of AIOU at federal level and Regional Institutes for Teachers Education at provincial level.