ISLAMABAD, April 8 (Alliance News): A two-day 8th International Conference titled “Research and Practices in Education” kicked off at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad, bringing together leading educationists, policymakers, and researchers from Pakistan and abroad.
The opening session was graced by former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Jawad S. Khawaja, as the chief guest. Speaking to participants, he strongly emphasized the need for fundamental reforms in Pakistan’s education system.
He said the goal of education must be growth and development, and for that, a system should be introduced where learning is engaging and not seen as a punishment.
Justice Khawaja expressed concern that children in Pakistan often fear going to school because of outdated teaching methods and uninspiring environments. “We must create a system where schools stimulate curiosity and creativity,” he said.
He also highlighted the stark inequality in educational access across the country, where the children of privileged families receive far better education than those from underprivileged backgrounds.
“This dual system denies quality education to the poor and weakens our society,” he stated. He warned that failing to introduce timely reforms to align education with modern-day needs could have devastating consequences for the future of Pakistan.
Vice-Chancellor AIOU, Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, also addressed the gathering, calling for an “educational emergency” in Pakistan.
He said, “Today’s children fear school like a prison. Unless we change this, our education system will continue to fail.” He urged the academic community to propose solutions during the conference that could help eliminate this fear and make learning a joyful process.
The conference attracted participation from international education experts, including keynote speaker Professor Dr. Hamish Coates of the Holmes Institute and Australian National University.
In his address, Dr. Coates discussed global trends in educational reform and emphasized the importance of evidence-based research in transforming learning practices.
The event also featured students from Har Sukh, the school founded by Justice Jawad S. Khawaja. The children performed a lively tableau, showcasing the importance of creative learning environments and active participation in school activities.
Conference coordinator Dr. Muhammad Ajmal briefed the audience on the objectives of the event, stating that the aim was to bridge the gap between academic research and practical classroom implementation.
Scholars from multiple universities across Pakistan and abroad are sharing their insights in the conference sessions.
The conference aims to produce meaningful recommendations to improve Pakistan’s education sector and push for inclusive, accessible, and child-friendly schooling across the nation.
