In Pakistan’s educational scene, several initiatives have been taken to make education a meaningful and a productive enterprise for those associated with it. Decentralization of educational management, which is a part of the devolution of political power, is one of the major steps of the last two decades introduced for providing opportunities to people to take their own decisions to inculcate a sense of ownership and accountability.

A study was initiated by the Data Processing and Research Cell – DPRC*, at the Sindh Education Foundation, for the World Bank to study holistically the decentralization of education in Pakistan. In-depth interviews and discussions were carried out with pertinent authorities in schools and the government including Minister of Sindh for Education, Additional Secretary, and Supervisors working in the field. The data presented through six case studies illustrates various factors behind success of previous attempts of decentralization of education in the province of Sindh and generally in Pakistan. Key problems in the educational system of the country and gaps between theory and practice of the decentralization process have also been identified. Research established that the decentralization scheme has raised many concerns in the minds of people working at the grassroots level. One of the major shortcomings – that may result in the failure of a potentially productive programme – is the confusion regarding the roles of various stakeholders that may lead to conflict. Decisive factors for the success or failure of the decentralization process and the improvement of quality will largely depend on consistency of policies and the level of commitment both from people and the government.

* The Education Development & Research Cell (EDRC) was formerly called DPRC