A high-level policy roundtable hosted at Aga Khan University (AKU) brought together key education stakeholders from across Sindh to strengthen the link between field-based research and policy reform. Organized as part of the Data and Research in Education Research Consortium (DARE-RC), the gathering marked a significant move toward embedding data-backed decision-making into the province’s education system. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the DARE-RC initiative is aimed at ensuring research evidence directly influences policy, particularly in areas critical to learning outcomes and equitable access.
Attendees included leading educationists, researchers, and policymakers, who collectively stressed the urgency of fostering a culture of data use across the education sector. Emphasis was placed on supporting all children, especially those from marginalized communities, by aligning future reforms with real-world research findings rather than relying solely on theoretical or top-down approaches. This collaboration also plays a foundational role in shaping Sindh’s upcoming education sector plan, ensuring that new strategies are rooted in the lived realities of schools and learners across the province.
Discussions during the roundtable revolved around priority themes such as equitable access and inclusion, strengthening frontline education delivery, building climate-resilient education systems, and improving governance through effective data use. Insights generated from these areas will directly inform policy directions, reflecting a more grounded and inclusive approach to reform.
Dr Farid Panjwani, Dean of AKU’s Institute for Educational Development in Pakistan (IED, PK), emphasized the importance of field-driven studies in influencing meaningful change. He stated that while evidence alone may not guarantee policy success, it remains a vital component. He highlighted that all 18 studies under the DARE-RC umbrella in Sindh are rooted in empirical, field-level observation, offering credible pathways to improve learning outcomes across the board.
DARE-RC Team Lead Dr Ehtasham Anwar described the project as the first and largest of its kind in Pakistan. He said that the initiative is a milestone in ensuring research informs education sector decisions, describing education as the country’s lifeline. His remarks underlined the long-term vision of the consortium, which aims to bridge the often-observed disconnect between academic research and government policy.
Richard Yates, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi, reiterated the UK government’s support for education in Pakistan, recognizing its critical role in the development of individuals and nations. He expressed confidence in the DARE-RC programme’s ability to make a lasting impact.
The event was co-organized by Oxford Policy Management (OPM), AKU Institute for Educational Development in Pakistan (AKU IED-PK), and Sightsavers, with a shared objective to translate robust research into targeted, actionable reforms that can improve educational quality and accessibility in Sindh.
