Context
Following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, passed in 2010, the responsibilities in the education sector were largely decentralized to provinces/ areas. Key functions in the education sector are now under the responsibility of the provinces. Thus, the education sector in Pakistan undergoes a fundamental reform process.
Objective
The individual, organizational and institutional resources of selected provincial education administrations are strengthened for a qualitatively improved basic education for girls and boys according to the needs of everyday life
Approach
The National Basic Education Policy Programme (NBEPP) supports the implementation of key education sector reforms, especially concerning education sector planning and curriculum reform. The programme focuses on capacity development and advisory assistance on two levels.
On the government level, GIZ is assisting Pakistan on strengthening institutional frameworks as well as education sector governance capacities. This is achieved through an approach encompassing institutional, organizational and individual level capacities through exposure to best practices, training and hands on development of products and mechanisms. The main effort is on the introduction and establishment of strategic planning for the effective implementation of the National Education Policy 2009.
The programme supports the partner institutions, as the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development and the Departments for Education in Balochistan at the provincial level, on the implementation of the curriculum and textbook reforms. The Curriculum Implementation Framework (CIF) serves thereby as a common basis for all such interventions. The programme supports partners on the provincial and area level to adapt the CIF to their respective conditions. The reform process includes dissemination of the curriculum, realignment of teacher’s training, the adjustment of textbooks and learning materials and the examination system according to the curriculum. It also focuses on the introduction of feedback mechanisms from school to the administration level. Currently, there are agreements with Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Sindh, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Balochistan, in this regard. Contributions of the program are systemic advisory services (technical support, policy and process advice) and trainings for selected programme intervention areas.
Results
The first Education Sector Plan (ESP) 2014 – 2018 in ICT has been finalized and approved by the government. It serves as a strategic document to achieve the national education objectives in ICT derived from the National Education Policy (2009). With the help of the programme the current Education Management Information System (EMIS) is being strengthened to more efficiently monitor implementation of the ESP.
The programme also supports inter-provincial coordination among provinces/areas. The aim is to establish a formal platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and learning. Two inter-provincial technical working groups (TWGs) on quality and governance have been formed based on increasing demand for national coordination in these thematic areas. The TWGs consist of representatives from relevant provincial departments. These efforts have also encouraged the concerned authorities for revival of Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC). Further support will be extended to institutionalize the IPEMC.
The relevant education departments in ICT, AJK and Balochistan have been strengthened in their resources to establish required structures and procedures for the successful implementation and monitoring of CIF.
Technical support from National Basic Education Policy Programme (NBEPP), for example in curriculum development, is enabling institutionalization of the reforms and creating preconditions for the improvement of basic education in Pakistan.