MANAGING QUALITY EDUCATION AT PRIMARY LEVEL IN PAKISTAN: CURRENT PRACTICES AND FUTURE HOPES

Abstract

Pakistan has made few international commitments to provide quality basic education to everyone as a basic right. As per the constitution of Pakistan, “The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years in such manner as may be determined by law” National educational assessment system (NEAS) reported alarming situation regarding the performance of 3rd and 5th grade students. The main focus of this article was to analyze the current practices of managing quality education by the heads of the institutions and to understand what we can expect in near future regarding provision of quality primary education in Pakistan. Research was of mixed method and data were quantified as well as qualitied. Heads of 30 public primary schools comprised the sample. A questionnaire having both open and close ended questions was used focusing on managing the active participation of different stakeholders, facilitating improvement of pedagogical skills, building healthy relationship with staff, distribution of responsibilities, ensure use of low cost no cost materials, updating content, application of the conceptual learning approach, guide how to integrate bookish knowledge to real life situation etc. as a research tool. It was found that most of head teachers tried to involve different stakeholders in improving the performance of schools. It was also found that relationships among teachers and heads of the institutes were not good. Professional development opportunities for teachers were also scarce. It was suggested that capacity building of the heads of the institutes may be ensured for smooth functioning of the system.