Evaluation of World Bank Assistance for Primary Education in Pakistan: A Country Case Study
Abstract
A review of the assistance provided by World Bank in enhancing the state of education within Pakistan and an outline of the future course of action.
The report aims to cast light on the contribution by World Bank for primary education with Pakistan and concentrates on the three major issues faced by the education sector in terms of equity, quality and access. The study presents background information on the education sector while analyzing the impact of World Bank support in Pakistan and highlighting the future courses of action. The analysis highlights that complex government structure and political instability pose a barrier to effective implementation of educational policies by the Bank whereas cultural values, lack of accessibility, scarcity of resources, growth of private sector education and rote learning approach prevent the country from achieving Universal Primary Enrollment. Analysis based on benchmarks and time series reveal that efforts by the World Bank failed to provide the desired returns in 1990s but lessons learned since then has helped improved the implementation of policies.
The report recommends that a more comprehensive approach must be undertaken by the Bank by conducting an analysis of the primary education sector and intervention must be done in areas where the impact is likely to be significantly high. A realistic strategy must be derived based on present situation and resources available and emphasis must be placed on removing the concept of rote learning that hampers the ability of students to develop cognitive skills.
Publishing Year: 2007
Attached File:
Evaluation of World Bank Assistance of Primary Education.pdf - Download