The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), in collaboration with the Centre for Social Justice, hosted a dynamic policy dialogue on “Overcoming Educational Policy Challenges Through Better Governance” on April 30, 2024.
The event served as a platform for engaging experts and stakeholders, fostering innovative strategies for governance enhancement, gaining valuable insights into improving educational outcomes, and contributing to the development of a comprehensive policy roadmap for sustainable progress.
The distinguished panel featured prominent figures including Dr Riaz Ahmed Shaikh, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Education at SZABIST; Ms Sadiqa Salahuddin, Founder and Executive Director of the Indus Resource Centre; Professor Farid Panjwani, Dean of the Institute for Educational Development at AKU; Mr Jamil Ahmed Khan, Former Ambassador and Advisor to the President at AKU; Ms Maleeha Manzoor, Member of the Sindh Provincial Assembly; Ms Nausheen Adnan, Member of the Punjab Assembly and CM Advisory Committee on Education; and Mr Sukhdev Hemnani, Board Member of the Sindh Human Rights Commission. The sessions were skillfully moderated by Mr Peter Jacob, Executive Director, and Ms Tayyaba Rafiq, Project Coordinator, both representing the Centre for Social Justice.
Reflecting on the importance of effective policy implementation, Professor Panjwani emphasized, “Implementing policies isn’t just about creating them; it’s about committing to action. When implementation fails, it’s not for lack of resources or expertise, but a lack of will. The pressing question we must confront is: why do we falter in our resolve to implement sound policies? This dialogue is crucial for keeping education a priority in public discussions. Silence stalls progress; dialogue holds us and our leaders accountable. Through ongoing discussion and accountability, real change can happen.”
Furthermore, the event featured an insightful analysis of education manifestos by AKU-IED students. They established 16 parameters, including education for out-of-school children, character education, inclusive education, gender disparities, mental health of students and teachers, technology challenges and more. Based on these parameters, they developed a rubric to evaluate the manifestos of major political parties to assess the performance of their respective policies.
In his closing remarks, Mr Jacob welcomed the government’s education reform announcement saying, “past policies have not only failed but also led to declining standards and increased intolerance. Civil society advocates for inclusive education urge the review to consider these issues.”