Which policy introduced free education concept?

Pakistan has undergone several significant educational reforms and policy changes since its independence, each aiming to address specific challenges and set new directions for the education sector.

• The 1972 Policy is the correct answer. The Education Policy of 1972-80, introduced by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's government, was a landmark initiative. It nationalized private educational institutions and, crucially, declared education free up to matriculation (10th grade) and later extended it to degree level. This policy aimed to democratize access to education, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic background, could pursue schooling, reflecting a socialist approach to public services.
• The 1959 Policy, known as the Report of the Commission on National Education, focused on vocational and technical education, strengthening the examination system, and improving teacher training. While it aimed at enhancing the quality and relevance of education, it did not introduce the concept of free education on a national scale.
• The 1947 Policy refers to the first education conference held shortly after Pakistan's independence. This conference laid down foundational principles for the new nation's education system but did not establish a comprehensive national policy for free education. Its focus was on establishing a new system from scratch.
• The 2009 Policy, the National Education Policy 2009, focused on universal primary education, improving quality, and increasing literacy rates, aligning with international commitments like the Millennium Development Goals. While it reinforced the right to education, the concept of free education had already been established by the 1972 policy.