National Roundtable on Education Reforms and Inclusion in Pakistan

Convened on 4 October 2023 in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA), and the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), this national roundtable brought together political leaders, policymakers, educators, activists, and experts ahead of the 2024 general elections. Chaired by Senator Farhatullah Babar, the discussion drew a cross-party panel of former MNAs and senators, including Asiya Nasir (JUI-F), Fawzia Arshad (PTI), Shahida Akhter Ali (JUI-F), Shaza Fatima Khawaja (PML-N), and Senator Sana Jamali (Convener, Senate Education Caucus), alongside civil society and academic voices including Areebah Shahid (Executive Director, PYCA), Mukhtar Ahmed (Executive Director, CPDI), the PIPS leadership, Dr. Abdul Hameed Nayyar (physicist and education expert), and Dr. Bashir (psychologist). It covered legal frameworks, curriculum, decentralisation, community involvement, gender responsiveness, teacher training, skill development, and the out-of-school crisis.

Key takeaways from the meeting:

• Senator Farhatullah Babar emphasised the need to address the 22.8 million out-of-school children, and advocated for improved teacher training, an inclusive curriculum, and optimised resource allocation.

• Fawzia Arshad (MNA) raised the Single National Curriculum, rural-urban disparities, and the private sector's role, advocating bipartisan collaboration on dropout rates and quality.

• Shaza Fatima Khawaja advocated mainstreaming marginalised communities and promoting technical and vocational skills.

• Asiya Nasir (MNA JUI-F) drew attention to the dire shortage of school buildings, calling for infrastructure development and comprehensive data systems for accountability.

• Shahida Akhter Ali (MNA) noted her party's manifesto had previously lacked provisions for persons with special abilities, and committed to including their education in the manifesto for the coming elections.

• Senator Sana Jamali, Convener of the Senate Education Caucus, emphasised ownership and responsibility in tackling the out-of-school crisis.

• Mukhtar Ahmed (CPDI) pressed for increased budget allocation, efficient project completion, and a fair tax system.

• Areebah Shahid (PYCA) focused on disability inclusion, underlining the need for inclusive leadership and teacher training.

• Dr. Abdul Hameed Nayyar raised concerns about the commercialisation of education, and advocated teacher training, an inclusive curriculum, and the eradication of child labour.

• Dr. Bashir highlighted the link between inclusion and teacher training, and shared his experience in curriculum development.

Zehra Arshad (National Coordinator, PCE) then unveiled a comprehensive Charter of Education, a strategic roadmap for revitalising the sector, addressing marginalised groups, infrastructure, resource allocation, and delivery. Senator Babar closed by urging all parties to reach a consensus on education.

Way forward, the consensus on next steps:

1. Prioritise education in political agendas for the 2024 general elections.

2. Address the out-of-school crisis, improve teacher training, and make schools inclusive.

3. Empower local governments to strengthen primary and secondary education.

4. Implement equitable resource allocation based on provincial spending.

5. Ensure inclusivity in curriculum development.

6. Focus on quality-education improvements for all, particularly in rural areas.

7. Strengthen the private sector's role in education.

8. Establish transparent poverty-alleviation mechanisms.