Oxford University launches first-ever book on education policies written by Dr. Shahid Siddiqui

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ISLAMABAD: Former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar speaks on “discussion on Regional Connectivity and Stability “during 2nd day of 4th ILF at Lok Virsa. EU Ambassador Jean Francois Cautain, Afgha Ambassador Zakhilwal, Nasim Zahra also present. INP PHOTO by Sulaman Choudhry

 

Oxford University Press on Saturday launched the first book ever on education policies in Pakistan written by eminent educationist Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui.

The book titled ‘Politics, Projections, and Practices’ presents detailed overview and analysis of education policies, introduced in the country from 1947 till now, both in terms of their contents and characteristics. The launching ceremony was held at Lok Virsa and was attended by students, teachers, researchers and book’s lovers.

Those who commented on the book and eulogized the author’s skillful and scholarly writing included eminent educationist A.H. Nayyar and Haroona Jatoi, besides Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director Oxford University Press Pakistan.

Dr. Siddiqui who is currently the Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University in his book gave in-depth analysis of educational policies with his own academic input and recommendation as how the policies could become better by meeting the needs of the people and future challenges.

Explaining various features of the book, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said, ” It is an attempt to study the education policies in Pakistan in a critical and holistic manner. The book discusses in detail the rationale of education policy and the process of its planning.  It offers sociopolitical context for education policies to understand their processes of planning and implementation.”

The book with 14 chapters selects major themes in education policies like vision and goals, universal primary education, literacy, female education, language issues, higher education, technical and vocational education, special education, religious and madrassa education, curricula and textbook, and teachers and teacher education tracking each theme through policies from 1947 till 2009, when the last education policy was offered.

Speakers while commenting on the book said, this is the most thorough and comprehensive account of educational policies as they historically emerged in Pakistan.

It places these policies within the social, religious and economic context of Pakistan, and does so both critically and constructively. In pointing out the difficulties encountered, it also draws lessons, and therefore points to future direction of policy in the light of the well-researched evidence.

This book reflects a profound knowledge of the educational system, and must be a key reference for everyone engaged in educational policy in Pakistan.  Also, given global interest in educational systems and comparative education, the book should appear on the reading lists world-wide.

 

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