Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Mr. Shafqat Mehmood has initiated a directive to begin the  groundwork to formulate the Pakistan Education Policy 2021 through a widespread consultative process. This step was taken after the Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan, stressed upon the need of an updated and comprehensive educational policy to represent the country.

Tweeting from his account, Mr. Mahmood said, “While we have taken a number of initiatives including single national curriculum, A formal Education policy for the country is necessary. So on my direction a process has been started by the Ministry of Education which includes widespread consultation. All suggestions welcome” on 20 December 2020. [1]

Through the updated policy, the Government aims to address the much-needed cohesion and harmony across the population and pull alongside the global needs of education. It will also help the country in key education aspects for standards, educational stages (primary, middle, high etc.) system of exams and admissions, teacher management standards and most importantly equity in education for all students.

Pakistan developed its National Education Policy in 2009, however very next year, due to an amendment in the national constitution, the field of Education was completely devolved to the provincial governments. In September 2011, a joint declaration on Education was signed by all provinces. This declaration made the policy document owned by all the provinces and subject to adaptation on provincial levels.

Ministry of Education and Professional Training has written to all provincial governments, other relevant government bodies, all other stakeholders, educationists, researchers, writers, academia and encouraging them to actively participate in this nationally importance responsibility. The policy document will be finalized by end of March 2021. [2]