100% Coverage of Schools in Sheikhupura District

Author: Fareeha Zafar

Published: SAHE

Date: May 2005

Abstract

This report analyzes a census of all education providers in Sheikhupura district conducted by the Education and Management Information System (EMIS) Punjab. Previous education related surveys conducted by EMIS concentrated on public institutions, neglecting essential data on private schools and other such establishments as madrassas and NGO educational facilities. Hence, previous data underestimated literacy figures in the country. The new census helped in formulating a model for meeting the growing demand for data at the planning and policy level, while at the same time providing an existing education profile at the district level throughout Punjab. On the basis of this refined data, the report compares the trends in primary and secondary enrolment and the varying gender gaps in all forms of educational institutions across Sheikhupura district. The report also points out some structural flaws with the methodology involved in data collection which hampers data analysis. It concludes that though the census provides new information on educational facilities, it nonetheless has room for further improvement that would aid in effective planning and policy-making. To this effect, the report offers recommendations for reforming the census before EMIS conducts it in other districts of Punjab.