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A research study
on "What Works in Education in Pakistan & Why" was
initiated by the Society for Advancement of Education and the Open
Society Institute. It seeks to explore eight successful education
initiatives at school level within selected districts and communities,
making connections with national policy priorities. The study attempts
to develop narrative case studies through a coordinated team of
local research partners, supported and mentored by a research advisory
team. The purpose of the exercise is to provide the basis for advocacy
in research, to promote wider consensus on priorities for action
and advocacy and to contribute to strengthening social partnerships
for monitoring and accountability in the education reform process.
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| Dr.
Anjum Halai, Assistant Professor and Head of Research and Policy
Studies, AKU-IED, speaking at the occasion. |
Expertise across the country was invited to design
and conduct this research which brought together the local academics
to form a research and advocacy network. The team designed the study,
mentored case studies and developed the analysis framework and recommendations.
They conducted research in the selected districts and analyzed research
findings with the guidance of an advisor.
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| Dr.
Muhammad Memon, Director AKU-IED giving the welcome address. |
Research sites were selected considering the reputation
of programmes and initiatives as well as representation of government
and private (non-profit and low-cost for-profit) sectors, all regions,
language groups and rural/urban settings. After in-depth visits
to each school, 5-6 schools (male/female, primary and secondary
or high schools) were selected per case. Criteria for selection
included evidence of quality or innovation, a willingness to participate
and availability of information.
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| Mr.
Qazi Arif, Additional Secretary, Academic and Training Education
and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, Chief Guest of
the Policy Dialogue, addressing the participants. |
In addition to regular government and stand-alone
private schools, government schools assisted by a programme (GTZ
Technical Assistance in Teacher Development, IED Whole School Improvement
Program, USAID Education Sector Reforms Assistance, UNICEF Child
Friendly School) as well as private schools which are a part of
a system (Citizen's Foundation, Hira National Education Foundation,
Indus Resource Center and Aga Khan Education Services Pakistan)
were included.
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| Mr.
Abbas Rashid, Chairman, Society for the Advancement of Education
(SAHE) making a presentation on the research project. |
The Policy Dialogue
The Aga Khan University - Institute for Educational
Development (AKU-IED) is a part of the national research project
on "What Works in Education in Pakistan & Why". The
Whole School Improvement Programme of AKU-IED is one of the cases.
As part of the research process, a policy dialogue was organized
with key stakeholders and policy makers in education hosted by AKU-IED
on Saturday September 16, 2006.
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| Participants
of the policy dialogue |
The purpose of the policy dialogues was to share
the initial findings of the case studies as well as the indicated
areas of further investigation. On both counts, the research team
felt that the feedback from relevant stakeholders from each province
was critical. This feedback would be incorporated into the final
research publication to help develop consensus on issues for quality
reform. Mr. Qazi Arif , Additional Secretary, Academic and Training
Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh was the chief
guest. Other guests included faculty and staff of AKU-IED and representatives
from Northern areas and Sindh.
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| Dr.
Moladad Shafa, Assistant Professor, Head of Professional Development
Centre, Northern Areas making a presentation on the research
component conducted in the northern areas of Pakistan. |
Dr. Muhammad Memon, Director AKU-IED in his welcome
address said that innovative ideas and thinking should be generated
from the grassroot level which will contribute to overall improvement
in education. He also emphasized that there is a need to come up
with indigenous knowledge and research for improving educational
policies which will result into bringing about reforms in the educational
sector.
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| A research
team from Sindh making a presentation on the research component
conducted in the Sindh. |
Speaking at the occasion, the chief guest Mr. Qazi
Arif, Additional Secretary, Academic and Training Education and
Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, stated that policy dialogue
offers a platform to educators, researchers, teachers, teacher educators
and others to critically analyze the aspects of education and engage
with the process of finding ways and means to develop a future scenario
of education, particularly high quality education. He further added
that it is a viable process of engaging all key stakeholders in
educational development and generating new thinking so that policies
and practices could be reshaped. He strongly recommended that the
public and private sector should work as partners to improve the
quality of education.
Presentations from two research sites of Northern
Areas and Sindh were made during the dialogue. Mr. Abbas Rashid,
Chairman, Society for the Advancement of Education (SAHE), made
a presentation on 'Introduction to the Research project and synthesis
of research findings'.
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