Navigating Pakistan’s Educational Policy Landscape in Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 4: A view of Stakeholders

Abstract

This study aimed to qualitatively assess educational policies in Pakistan in the context of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). The research used in-depth interviews with a diverse group of participants, including educators, officials, and stakeholders from both public and private education sectors. A semi-structured interview protocol was designed to investigate legal aspects of inclusion, equitable quality education, and lifelong learning experiences related to SDG-4 in Pakistan. The study included 15 purposively selected respondents, and their interviews were recorded and transcribed. The findings revealed barriers to SDG 4 achievement, such as governance issues, low stakeholder participation, and challenges in monitoring and budget allocation. The study recommends prioritizing capacity building and fostering stakeholder ownership to effectively implement SDG 4 at the federal and provincial levels in Pakistan's education system.