ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by surveying the role of Islam in the Pakistani education system prior to 1999, and shows how debate over education policy has always been intrinsically linked with both domestic politics and foreign policy issues. It then describes the current reforms, drawing on interviews conducted with members of the central government’s curriculum wing, various education boards and education specialists from various academic institutions. The 1947 All-Pakistan National Education conference made Urdu, the national language, compulsory in schools. Free and compulsory education for the first five years was also outlined as a major objective in order to redress the imbalances left over from colonial times. The Aryan, pre-Islamic history references were removed as Pakistan’s history was to start with the advent of Islam. Today the government of Pakistan offers financial assistance to madrassas. The government has also been pushing for more secular subjects to be taught in madrassas.
