Implementation of Education Policy in Pakistan: A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic literature review aims to develop a systematic literature review, with an intention to identify the main themes in research so far envisaging the causes and barriers to efficient implementation of education policies in Pakistan. To achieve this end, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) has been employed to set guidelines for data collection. Data (92 research articles) from research studies over the period 2017-2024 on topics related to education policy implementation in Pakistan have been extracted from the databases like Google Scholar, Pub Med, JSTOR and PDR etc. This review extends a well-researched critique of Pakistan`s educational policies, offering valuable insights into the historical and contemporary challenges faced by the sector. A study offering a succinct review on various elements identified in the extant research attributing towards the poor implementation of education policies in Pakistan is non-existent. This study bridges this gap. This systematic literature review aims to highlight the variables and factors offering friction to the smooth sail of the efficient implementation of education policies. Findings from the extant literature have been clubbed into major themes and subthemes, indicating various inherent drawbacks in policies and multiple barriers offering friction to implementation of these policies. Some overlapping themes have been delineated for conceptual boundaries to ensure theoretical clarity. Many themes can help in informed decision-making. For instance, one major finding of this SLR posits that ineffective implementation of education policies in Pakistan is the product of ineffective policy making and governance mechanisms.