Higher Education in Pakistan - Problems and Prospects in Post 18th Amendment
Authors: Osman Amber , Subhani Muhammad Imtiaz 
Published: July 2019

This multi-dimensional study will be focusing on investigating the evolution of constitutional position enjoyed by Higher Education while identifying the issues with regard to planning and governance of Higher Education in post 18th amendment scenario. This study will also be emphasizing on governance of higher education at provincial level. Moreover, this research will be giving the recommendations for future course of action in connection with the position of subject of education in the constitution via quantifying the various propositions, which includes: 1- There is the evolution of the constitutional position enjoyed by the subject of higher education. 2- There are the issues with regard to planning and governance of higher education after 18th amendment. 3- There is the moment in the governance of higher education at provincial level. 4- The future of administration of higher education at provincial level is predictable. 5- there is the need for planning and monitoring of higher education at national level. 6-There the need for a body with advocate powers at federal level to interact with international donors for educational funding. 7-There is the need for a body with advocate power to meet the requirements of educational institutions abroad seeking verification and equivalence of educational qualification. 8: There is a bubble in access to higher education in Pakistan. 9: There is gender discrimination in access to higher education in Pakistan. 10: There is no shock in the spending of higher education in Pakistan. 11: There is contribution of universities of Pakistan in generating income for higher education and economy. 12: There is contribution of universities in generating foreign exchanges earnings. 13: Forecasting the performance of public and private sector universities during the period of post 18th amendment in terms of numbers of enrollments, contribution to national income and contribution to Foreign Exchange Earning. 14: There is variance in the perception of public sector Vice Chancellors and private sector Vice Chancellors in connection with the issues raised in the 18th constitutional amendment.

The literacy rate of Pakistan is below average, which describes the education system of our country. The education system of Pakistan requires a complete overhauling from its roots to the top in order to really provide quality education. Higher education is generally expensive for the masses and more so if you're sending your child to private universities. The public and private sector universities do provide scholarships and financial-aid but still the present situation of the higher education requires more and massive improvement. Is the curriculum in public and private sector universities uniform and even if a masters student tries to attain a foreign degree, there are obstacles of bridge courses for him/her to complete first and then to start for the actual degree he/she applies for. All these matters load the individual with monetary burden and in turn effect the growth performance as a nation. With the 18th amendment in place, the government and the universities are trying to take steps to provide quality higher education in Pakistan but still the question of access to higher education to masses, more awareness of the policies of education system remains unanswered. Pakistan has already decided on free and compulsory education for children between 5–16 yrs in the 18th constitutional amendment. Still, children are still not being educated and the education system remains disturbingly poor. The current public and private higher education system requires producing strong youth who can compete in the growing international market with supportive local government system within the country and tranquility at the international level. Actions speak louder than words; This is what Pakistan should do. It is necessary for Pakistan to make substantive investments in higher education, training and curriculum to meet national needs. This will empower our country to produce all-rounded citizens, ready to support the country's economic, political, social, technological, defense needs, partnership for self-defense while safeguarding our religious, cultural heritage and geographical identity. The underlying problems to be explored in this research grant are: 1- Gauging the evolution of the constitutional position enjoyed by the subject of higher education. 2- Identifying the issues with regard to planning and governance of higher education after 18th amendment. 3-(A) Analyzing the governance of higher education at provincial level and (B) forecasting the future of administration of higher education at provincial level. 4- Identifying the need for planning and monitoring of higher education at national level. 5- Identifying the need for a body with advocate powers at federal level to interact with international donors for educational funding. 6- Identifying the need for a body with advocate power to meet the requirements of educational institutions abroad seeking verification and equivalence of educational qualification. 7- The access to higher education. 8- Gender discrimination. 9- Spending on higher education. 10- Sources of generating additional funding. 11- The potential of higher education as a foreign exchange earner. 12- The public and private sector in higher education and its potential. 13- Survey of Vice Chancellors both public and private in connection with the issues raised by the 18th Amendment. The foremost expected benefit on this research sub-theme will help one understand the evolution of the constitutional position enjoyed by the subject of education with particular reference to Higher Education. Identification about the issues, which have come up with regard to the planning and governance of higher education after the 18th Amendment. To explore provincial level role in regards to higher education. Also, the need for planning, monitoring and unit at federal level to interact with international donors in order to facilitate and meet the necessities of educational institutions abroad seeking verification and equivalence of educational qualifications. The major benefit and impact will be achieving future implications of few changes brought about or proposed by the Provincial governments with relation to the higher education administration and to foresee the plans, directions and outcomes by the Federal and Provincial levels, which might entail additional modifications in subject to education in the Constitution. This research study shall be beneficial to the higher education policy makers, public and private higher education institutions, faculty and students of higher education, researchers and all those who are keen to embrace themselves with the post 18th amendment outcomes in relevance to the higher education of Pakistan. The positive and/or negative impacts via various indicators of Higher Education in Pakistan will be forecasted through econometrical techniques to present the post 18th amendment and the future of Higher Education.