PARENTAL CHOICE IN SCHOOLING AND EDUCATION IN BALOCHISTAN

Abstract

Pakistani education system offers schooling and education through three mainstream channels, i.e., public, private and faith-based religious institutions (Madaaris; single Madrasah), to its masses. This study provides an insight into understanding the significant factors shaping schooling and educational choices of parents for their children in the province of Balochistan-Pakistan. Three semi-urban and rural locations were selected for data collection from two districts – Quetta and Pishin. In addition to the available literature, the qualitative and quantitative data was obtained from household (parents), teachers, institutional administrators, policymakers, religious and community elders and field observations through a mixed-method data collection and analysis approach to understand the phenomenon of school choice. The data revealed that parents were interested in quality formal education, however, the scarcity of such opportunities leads their children feel deprived, and the substandard formal schools compel the parents to weigh alternate opportunities for their children’s education. Their school choice decision is backed by several factors such as cost, quality, prospects and benefits, parental socioeconomic status, geographical location and so on. These factors highly influence parents’ educational decision-making, and their priorities whether children attend public, private, Madrasah institution, or do not attend a school at all.

This unique study is of great significance for national and international educationists, researchers and policymakers as for the first time a study includes the voices of the people of the least developed province (Balochistan) on parental choice.