Education in Pakistan:

Historical Perspective
Before independence, the education system in the
Indian subcontinent, which includes present-day
India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, was diverse and
rich, with a long history deeply rooted in Islamic
traditions. The region had a significant Muslim
population, and education was highly valued in
Islamic culture. Here's an overview of the Muslim
education system in the subcontinent before
independence
Major characteristics of Muslim Education
before British Period
• Islamic Madrasah was the center of education system and all
components of education were predominantly (‫ )بنیادی طور پر‬religious.
• Mosques and Madrasah were the main educational centers which had
libraries attached to it.
• In addition to religious education other subjects were also taught to
prepare individuals for worldly affairs. To meet the needs of the time
knowledge and skills were offered to prepare them for different types
of jobs.
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• Education spread throughout the country. During King Tuglik’s regime
there were many Islamic schools in Delhi. The king paid the teachers.
Some schools had great buildings and their enrolment was quite
large.
• The system of education was for all people and not for specific classes
as in Hindu schools. There was a mechanism of supervision of schools
in order to meet the educational needs.
• Schools enjoyed freedom in determining curriculum and teaching
CONTINUE…..
• Muslim rulers gave priority to education. They built schools and
mosques and financed education on greater scale.
• Student-teacher relationship was exemplary. Teachers were much
concerned about the education and welfare of students and students
used to pay respect to their teachers.
• Education system did experience changes with the emerging needs of
the society. So the system was not stagnant
BRITISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
• The British step foot in India as traders and became rulers. The East India
Company was formed in 1600 A.D. It was basically a trading company but
with the time involved itself in politics. In 1757 it emerged as a ruling
power and ruled India up to 1857. Later on British Government took over
and ruled India till 1947. In the beginning the East India Company
allowed the indigenous system of education to continue. In India Charles
Grant initiated the idea of introduction of “Superior” English knowledge
in 1779 to serve their interest. He abused the native Indians as dishonest,
lazy and immoral and presented the Europeans as superior nation in all
respects. The British Government continued the educational policies
announced by the East India Company.
CHARTER ACT- 1813
• The foundations of British Education System were laid down in India
by the Charter Act 1813. The important aspects of the Act were as
under:
• Education in India will be the responsibility of East India Company.
• Western education and science will be promoted along with Arabic
and Sanskrit.
• The missionary organizations will be patronized and have full
freedom.
• The medium of instruction for western education will be English.
• Later on English was declared as official language in place of Persian.
Eastern education ceased to be patronized. The English language was
declared the medium of instruction. In 1935 the famous Macaulay
proposed system of education based on this Charter Act 1813. In
1836 Persian was replace by English as official language