Karachi: The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development celebrated the launch of “Teaching and Teacher Education in Pakistan: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives,” a book by Professor Anjum Halai, Vice Provost at AKU and an alumna of its Master of Education program. The event, titled Baatein Kitab Ki, highlighted the significant contributions of Dr. Halai, a distinguished educator with extensive experience in both Pakistan and internationally.

According to The Aga Khan University, Dr. Halai’s book, published by Oxford University Press, delves into the critical role of teachers in student learning, motivation, and overall development. It discusses the challenges within Pakistan’s educational system, including inadequate government spending and unequal access to resources across different educational departments.

“Teaching and Teacher Education in Pakistan” is structured in two main sections that address the teaching profession and teacher education through the lens of Pakistan’s socio-cultural, political, and economic context. The first section reviews the development of education since Pakistan’s independence, revealing ongoing issues despite policy efforts to enhance educational quality. The second section utilizes classroom-based research to offer insights into key challenges and the implications for teacher education.

During the book launch, Dr. Halai emphasized the importance of teacher agency and active participation in educational decision-making to improve the status and effectiveness of the teaching profession.