Through the numerous phases of federalism in Pakistan education mostly remained in the provincial domain. The Constitution of Pakistan 1973 for the first time allowed a substantial federal role in Education; particularly in terms of policy, planning and curriculum development.
- The Interim Constitution 1947-1956 (Government Of India Act 1935)
- The Constitution of 1956
- The Constitution of Second Republic 1962
- The Constitution of 1973
- Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment 2010
- Post Eighteenth Amendment Framework
- Provincial Role in Education
| The Interim Constitution 1947-1956 (Government Of India Act 1935) | Top |
| Education was placed in the domain of the provinces. Any matter related to Education as policy, planning or curriculum was neither on the Federal Legislative List nor the Concurrent Legislative List. | |
| The Constitution of 1956 | Top |
| Education in the 1956 constitution was stipulated as the obligation of the state to remove illiteracy, provide free and compulsory primary education with in minimum possible time. Article 106 of the constitution dealt with the distribution of powers between federal and provincial governments. Education (including university education, technical education and professional training) was assigned to the exclusive legislative domain of the provinces. | |
| The Constitution of Second Republic 1962 | Top |
| Education was acknowledged as a fundamental right. The federal legislative list as provided in the third schedule of the constitution had 49 items and none dealt with Education boldly. | |
| The Constitution of 1973 | Top |
| Education saw a major jurisdiction shift in 1973. It included important entries like education policy, planning, curriculum, syllabus, standards of education and Islamic Education thus empowering the Federal Government to play a dominant role in the affairs of education.
At national level following ten policy documents have been framed with varying degree of consultation and involvement of the federating units:
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| Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment 2010 | Top |
| Introduction of the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment has brought a number of significant changes in the Constitution of Pakistan 1973. The amendment besides introducing changes in multiple Articles, it has increased the role of the federating units in various subjects of Education is one of the key subject which is being devolved to the provincial mandate.
It has delegated the key subjects of education policy, curriculum planning and standards to the exclusive legislative and executive jurisdiction of the provinces. The incorporation of Article 25-A is another fundamental change introduced by the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment. Article 25-A, in the Constitution of 1973, deals with fundamental rights. Article 25-A22 obligates the state to provide free and compulsory quality education to children of the age group five to sixteen years. |
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| Post Eighteenth Amendment Framework | Top |
| The Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment has revised the existing framework of distribution of powers between the federal government and the federating units. Education has been shifted to the legislative and executive jurisdiction of the provinces. The new framework has reconfigured the federal and provincial relationship in terms of education governance. | |
| Provincial Role in Education | Top |
| Introduction of Eighteenth Amendment has significantly redefined the role of provinces. The magnitude of devolved functions and the existing administrative capacity of the provinces is a serious challenge. In the context of education, there has been a phenomenal delegation of powers, and the Provinces will have to perform a wider variety of functions within the available fiscal limitations, capacity and without receiving additional resources from the Federal Government. | |