The Data and Research in Education Research Consortium (DARE-RC) brought together policymakers, international researchers and development partners at Allama Iqbal Open University to drive education reform using rigorous evidence and practical insights. The summit emphasised the need for policies grounded in data to make Pakistan’s education system more inclusive and resilient.
Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning and Development, underlined the central role of evidence in policymaking, saying “The use of data and research in education policy-making is crucial for Pakistan to achieve its development goals. We need to prioritize evidence-based decision-making to ensure that our education system is responsive to the needs of our children and youth.” His remarks reflected the summit’s focus on translating research into actionable policy.
Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, warned about the risks facing the next generation and urged stronger teaching and schooling supported by evidence-based decisions: “Pakistan’s children are at real risk of only reaching 41% of living a full life to reach their maximum potential. Only effective teaching, strong schooling, and evidence-based decisions can give children, particularly the most marginalised, the best chance to learn and succeed.” Her comments framed education reform as essential for advancing equity.
Speakers and panelists, including Professor Kamal Munir from the University of Cambridge, highlighted the equity imperative in education reform and explored system-wide approaches. International experts from the World Bank, UNICEF, Sightsavers and What Works Hub for Global Education joined Pakistani researchers and officials to discuss climate-resilient education systems, intersecting exclusions, and the use of data to strengthen delivery across provinces.
DARE-RC Team Lead Dr Ehtasham Anwar described the summit as a platform for collaboration between academia and government to ensure that evidence meaningfully shapes policy and practice. Dr Nasir Mahmood, Vice Chancellor of AIOU, reiterated the university’s commitment to supporting inclusive, high-quality education as a national priority.
The summit’s sessions combined high-level plenaries with knowledge-sharing workshops that examined practical next steps for implementing education reform at scale. Participants identified opportunities to build a dynamic community of practice that keeps evidence at the centre of reforms aimed at improving access and learning outcomes for marginalised children.
The DARE-RC programme is being implemented in Pakistan by Oxford Policy Management in partnership with the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development and Sightsavers, with funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Organisers said they will continue working with provincial and federal stakeholders to convert summit commitments into measurable policy actions that advance education reform across the country.
Read in Urdu: ڈیئر-آر سی بین الاقوامی تعلیمی سمٹ: شواہد پر مبنی تعلیمی اصلاحات کے لیے محققین اور پالیسی سازوں کا اجتماع
