Critical Analysis of Early Childhood Education in Pakistan

Abstract

This research was designed to investigate the status of early childhood education in context of provisions of national education policies; the focus of the study was to highlight problems/ challenges which were faced in the implementation of policy provisions. Twenty districts were selected, and district management officers, head teachers and parents were. In addition to documents analysis, three questionnaires were designed for all concerned stakeholders. The findings of the study show that in Pakistan katchi class could not be formalized till 1970s in public schools. The National Education Policy (NEP), 1992 and 1998 proposed that Katchi classes as part of mainstreams education, National Plan of Action for EFA (2001-2015), Education Sector Reforms Action plan, 2001-2004 proposed a plan for ECE in formal education system. The NEC, 2009 proposed policy actions for the development of ECE but partially implemented these policy actions, such as ECE classes have been started, wherever, it was feasible not in all schools due to insufficient infrastructure, but additional budget and two years specialized training to teachers have not been provided. Pakistan is facing multi-dimensional problems including, lack of access to education, financial constraints, teachers’ behaviour and ignorance of parents about significance of ECE.