PIE and UNESCO Lead Consultations to Reform Middle-Tier Education Governance

PIE and UNESCO Lead Consultations to Reform Middle-Tier Education Governance

Stakeholders Stresses Institutional Capacity Building as Reform Pillar
Islamabad: -17 April 2025. A comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the role and capacity of district education managers across all four provinces—Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan—was unveiled at the opening of a three-day national consultative workshop. The event was organized by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), in collaboration with UNESCO, IIEP, and I-SAPS, and supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Held from April 15 to 17, 2025, in Islamabad, the workshop brought together national and provincial education officials, policymakers, and development partners. The gathering aimed to validate the findings of a UNESCO-commissioned research study and develop a strategic roadmap for district-level education reform. Participants unanimously endorsed a set of forward-looking recommendations to empower district education leadership and enhance institutional capacity nationwide.
Key proposals included the institutionalization of professional development for district managers through structured training, peer learning, and mentorship programs. Emphasis was also placed on the better use of education data by strengthening provincial EMIS systems to support evidence-based planning and local-level monitoring. The need for decentralized decision-making with accountability emerged as a central theme, with stakeholders calling for greater operational autonomy for district education offices, alongside clearly defined roles and responsibilities for achieving learning outcomes.
To standardize recruitment and performance evaluation, the participants recommended adopting a unified competency framework across provinces. This would ensure consistency, transparency, and alignment with the evolving needs of the education sector. Institutional mechanisms for intergovernmental coordination—both vertical and horizontal—were also highlighted as essential to effective reform implementation. Moreover, performance-based incentives were proposed to reward district managers who demonstrate measurable educational improvements.
Equity and inclusion were also recognized as critical priorities. Participants agreed that all district-level education plans should incorporate gender equity, social inclusion, and access for marginalized communities as core components. Provinces were urged to show sustained political and financial commitment to ensure adequate resources for long-term support of middle-tier education reform.
As part of the broader strategy for effective implementation, participants endorsed three specific follow-up actions: validation of recommendations through inclusive group discussions to ensure contextual relevance; promotion of policy recommendations through structured policy dialogues among stakeholders; and development of a practical action plan, led by PIE and UNESCO, to prioritize reform goals and create province-specific strategies for overhauling middle-tier education governance.
Dr. Muhammad Shahid Soroya, Director General of PIE, emphasized the significance of the workshop’s outcomes, stating, “These findings will help bridge the learning crisis and foster evidence-based reforms. They will guide both provincial and federal education policies while strengthening governance systems critical for delivering quality education across Pakistan.” Mr. Antony Kar Hum Tang, Officer-in-Charge at UNESCO Pakistan, praised the inclusive and data-driven nature of the consultation, calling it a “milestone for strengthening education systems from the ground up.”
Other speakers also underlined the importance of supporting the middle tier. Mr. Ahmad Ali, Director of Programmes at I-SAPS, called for institutional transformation backed by consistent support mechanisms. Dr. Abdul Waheed Raza, Managing Director of PECTAA, highlighted the urgent need to equip middle-tier managers with tools to effectively translate policy into practical results. Dr. Salman Humayun, Executive Director of I-SAPS, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to building resilient and inclusive education systems through targeted capacity-building initiatives.
Chairing the closing session, Dr. Soroya described the study as a “strategic roadmap” for empowering district education managers and reiterated the federal government’s commitment to data-driven, equity-centered reforms tailored to provincial needs. The workshop concluded with group presentations of localized action plans incorporating key study insights. Ms. Barbara Tournier from UNESCO and Dr. Zaigham Qadeer from PIE commended the collaborative and participatory spirit of the consultation process.
In his final remarks, Dr. Soroya reaffirmed PIE’s commitment to institutionalizing professional development and peer learning as foundational pillars for long-term, sustainable education reform in Pakistan.