The document summarizes the state of education in Pakistan after independence from British rule in 1947. It notes that at the time, 85% of the population was illiterate, with even lower rates in rural and female populations. The first National Education Conference in 1947 emphasized the importance of free and compulsory primary education nationwide based on Islamic values. Major recommendations included prioritizing literacy efforts and expanding science and technical education. However, implementation of the new education policy faced challenges from immigration issues and continuing administrative problems in the new country.

1. DR.NOOR MUHAMMAD KHATTAK
Department of Education
Northern University Nowshera

2.  Pakistan achieved independence from over a century
of British colonial rule in August 1947.
 The progress in education was largely limited to what
emerged as India.
 The regions comprising Pakistan were relatively
backward in all respects, including in education.
 At independence, 85 percent of the total population
was illiterate.
 In the more backward regions of the country, e.g.,
Baluchistan, the literacy rate was even lower, with the
rate for rural women therein being virtually zero.

3.  The first National Education Conference was held at
Karachi from November 27th to December 1st, 1947.
 Quaid-i-Azam provided the basic guidelines for future
educational development.
 It was also emphasis to realize the people the sense of
honor, integrity and selfless services to the nation.
 Education conference 1947 was presided by the
Education Minister of the country and Chairman of the
Conference, Fazal ur Rehman.
 Fazal-ur-Rehman, the Education Minister of the country
proposed three dimensions of education.

4. The article 25-A of Constitution of
the Islamic Republic ofPakistan says,
"The state shall provide free and
compulsory education to all children
of the age of five to sixteen years in
such a manner as may be
determined by law".

5.  The Primary and Secondary Education Committee
“considered it essential that a national system of
education should be based on the strong foundations of
free and compulsory primary education.”
 It proposed separate pre-primary and primary
education stages for children of ages 3 to 6 and 6 to
10.

6.  The Committee on Adult Education pointed out that
illiteracy was high at 85 percent and, at the then rate of
increase of literacy, 140 years would be required to get
rid of the problem.
 It stated, “The primary aim of the campaign must be not
merely to make adults literate but to keep them literate”.
 The report recommended the following stages for the
execution of a programme of adult education.
 The first five years were to be devoted to planning ,
recruitments of teacher and training.
 In the sixth year, about 500,000 persons were to be made
literate with an annual increase of 300,000 thereafter.
Planning Recruitment Of Teachers Training.

7.  The major recommendations of the conference were.
 Education should be teamed with Islamic values.
 Free and compulsory education in Pakistan.
 Emphasis on science and technical education.

8.  This policy could not be implemented properly due to
increased number of immigrants and other
administrative problems of new born country.
 More or less British colonial system was continued.

9. 