Politics of Education Policies in Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis of General Zia Ul Haq and General Pervaiz Musharraf Eras

Abstract

Reflecting on the revivalist and realist approaches toward Islamization and modernity, this research study aims at exploring the socio-political context of education policies and reform enacted on the paradigm of Islamization and Enlightened Moderation in Pakistan. The study is carried out through the lens of culturally relevant advocacy and social justice theory. Qualitative research method is being undertaken using a social constructivist perspective. Document analysis technique is employed to evaluate policy text from the Gen: Zia ul Haq and Gen: Musharraf regimes. The main data for this study is the manuscripts of National Education Policy 1979 and National Education Policy 2009. The study argues how politically contesting ideologies negotiated each other in both eras. The study also discovers the internal and external political pressures that caused subsequent educational reforms. The study concludes that the politics of ideological contestation has adversely affected the education system, therefore to build a solid education system, education policymaking must be freed from contesting politics.

    Keywords: islamization, globalization, moderation, ideology, politics, educational reforms