Decentralised and Private Education: the case of Pakistan

Theoretical concepts suggest that decentralization in financing and managing education result in greater efficiency and additional resources. Taking advantage of a change in Pakistan from a nationalized to a decentralized system in 1979, the authors use this country as a case history to examine these concepts. While acknowledging the lack of data, they contend that lifting of prohibitions on private schools has increased enrollments. Indirect evidence suggests an increase in quality also. Still uncertain are issues of internal efficiency equity and the impack of decentralization of public schools, particularly in rural areas.