GOVERNANCE, POLITICS, AND EDUCATION POLICY IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

In contemporary technology-driven societies, the demand for a high-quality education system is imperative. In Pakistan, however, education policy is shaped by multiple intersecting factors. While socioeconomic conditions are frequently identified as sources of inequality, political agenda-setting, state interactions with self-interested groups, and pressures arising from global technological competition significantly influence policymaking. The state plays a central role in ensuring effective education delivery, placing education at the core of reform initiatives aimed at promoting transparency and democratization. These objectives can be advanced through the leadership of qualified teachers and researchers in curriculum design and implementation. Nevertheless, persistent political interference—manifested in corruption and inequitable resource allocation—continues to pose a major challenge. Although education reform is often emphasized in electoral campaigns, policy decisions tend to be partisan and inconsistently implemented, ultimately undermining sustainable, long-term progress in the education sector.