Pakistan achieved independence from over a century of British colonial rule on August 14, 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% of the population was illiterate. In the more background regions of Pakistan, e.g., Baluchistan, the literacy rate was even lower; the rate for rural women there was virtually zero. After independence, it was time for Pakistan and the government of Pakistan to focus on the education of the region. And our great leader, Quaid-e-Azam Literary, focused on it. So, he called upon a conference regarding education, which is known as the “first educational conference of Pakistan

1. First Educational
Conference of Pakistan
(1947)
Dr. Hafiz Kosar

2. Pakistan achieved independence from over a century of British
colonial rule on August 14, 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% of the population was illiterate.
In the more background regions of Pakistan, e.g., Baluchistan, the
literacy rate was even lower; the rate for rural women there was
virtually zero.
After independence, it was time for Pakistan and the government
of Pakistan to focus on the education of the region. And our great
leader, Quaid-e-Azam Literary, focused on it.
So, he called upon a conference regarding education, which is
known as the “first educational conference of Pakistan’.
Historical
Background:

3. Key features:
The first educational conference was held in Karachi from November 27th to December 1st.
It was convened under the supervision of Quaid-e-Azam.
This conference was all about future educational reforms.
It was also about to make people realize that they are one nation and they have one national language, which is Urdu.
It was also emphasized to instill in the people a sense of honor, integrity, and selfless service to the nation.
The Education Conference of 1947 was presided over by the Education Minister of the country and Chairman of the Conference,
Fazal-ur-Rehman.
Fazal-ur-Rehman was Minister for Interior, Information, and Broadcasting in Education.
Here are its key features:

4. Our great leader, Quaid e Azam, was Pakistan‘s first governor general. He had a clear
vision for education in Pakistan. Some parts of his speech are quoted here:
￭ “Education does not merely mean academic education and even that of
a very poor type. What we have to do is mobilize our people and build
up a character of our future generation.”.
￭ He said we have to build a nation that has qualities of selflessness,
integrity, honor, and hard work. We have to teach our generation to be
together for the progress of Pakistan.
Quaid e Azam’s quotes related to education
in Pakistan:

5. 1 Primary and secondary educational committee
2 Adult educational committee
3
Women Educational Committee
4
Technical educational committee & Scientific
research committee
5 Cultural relations committee
6 University educational committee
Committees that took part
in this conference:

6. 1
The committee chairman was Shamsul Ulema Abu Nasar Waheed.
The Primary and Secondary Education Committee considered it essential that a national system of education be based on the strong
foundations of free and compulsory primary education.
It proposed separate pre-primary and primary education stages for children ages 3 to 6 and 6 to 11. Middle from 11 to 14 and
secondary from 14 to 17.
Madrissah School should be in line with the general school.
This committee focused on the fact that students should learn the fundamental principles of religion.
Physical training should be compulsory at school.
Education should be based on Islamic concepts.
The medium of instruction should be Urdu. But provinces have the choice and option to use their local language as the medium of
instruction in schools.
Primary and Secondary Education Committee:
1

7. 1
Qudrat-e-Khuda was chairman of the committee.
Provincial governments would do a survey related to adult education.
The Committee on Adult Education pointed out that illiteracy was high at 85 percent and, at the rate of increase in literacy, 140 years
would be required to get rid of the problem.
The report recommended the following stages for the execution of a program of adult education:.
In the sixth year, about 500,000 people were to be made literate, with an annual increase of 300,000 thereafter. Planning recruitment
for teacher training.
Adult Education Committee:
2

8. 1
Begum Sayeda Fatima Rehman was chairman.
This committee suggested that it would be better to appoint well-trained female teachers at the primary level.
There should be a separate girl’s school from the secondary level, as we do not have a culture of coeducation.
On an urgent basis, two female medical colleges would be made, one in East Pakistan and one in West Pakistan.
Fully funded scholarships for girls.
Establishment of vocational schools.
Women's Education Committee:
3

9. 1
The honorable justice H.B. Tayabji was chairman.
This committee suggested that the dominion of Pakistan should apply to UNESCO.
The exchange programs for teachers and students in dominion would open up new spaces.
As we have our own specific and famous fields to study, we can provide material to study in dominion-related agriculture, irrigation,
languages (Punjabi, Pashto, Urdu, Baluchi, etc.), archeology, and history.
Cultural Relations Committee:
4

10. 1
Nazeer Ahmad was chairman of the committee.
This committee proposed to form a council of technical education in Pakistan.
The members of the council would be elected from different fields of technical education, and the chairman would be elected by the
government.
It also suggested an immediate survey of past-matric technical institutions in Pakistan.
It also recommends the introduction of new fields of science and technology.
Scientific research and technical education committee:
5

11. 1
• Mian Afzal Husain was chairman.
• This is a recommendation of the Inter-University Board of Education.
This committee also emphasized the linking of universities to exchange information and opinions among universities.
￭ Domestic universities must have sharing relations with foreign universities.
￭ Degrees and diplomas from all linked universities should be of the same value.
￭ Each university should show coordination in research.
￭ The inter-university board of education would maintain standards of teaching and examination
University education committee:
6

12. Primary education
should be free in the
country.
Free and compulsory education
in Pakistan.
Education should be
paired with Islamic
values.
The government of Pakistan
should have positive relations
with neighboring countries, as it
could be helpful for domestic
universities to have relations with
foreign universities.
Adult education should
be focused so that our old
generation can also be a
part of a progressive
country.
Now it’s time for science and
technology, so they show great
focus on science and technical
education.
Major Recommendations:
The major recommendations of the
conference were.

13. As we know, at that time we were a premature nation and country; we even
did not know exactly about our assets, and there was a lot of work to do
according to the recommendations of the conference and committees. That’s
why it could not be implemented
• This policy could not be implemented properly due to the increased
number of immigrants and other administrative problems in the newly
born country.
• More or less, the British colonial system was continued.
Implementation:

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