Oxfam Great Britain Oxfam Great Britain

Saeed ul Hassan Lead Author and Presenter

Oxfam Great Britain

Irony of Scanty Resources for Education in Pakistan

Never Ever … A Pro-Poor Budget

Past reality but still a general perspective

In this year’s budget, a total of Rs734 billion had been allocated for education, which presents an increase of 15% compared with the previous year’s allocated budget. In the last three years, the combined education budget for the federal government and provinces has increased significantly by 27%, from Rs580 billion in 2013-14 to Rs734 billion in 2015-16.

The Incheon declaration at the World Education Forum (WEF) 2015 in Republic of Korea urges the governments to allocate at least 4-6% of their GDP and at least 15-20% of the total public expenditure on education. Education is a provincial subject in Pakistan and therefore, a look at the provincial budgets would give us an idea of the financial commitment of government for education.

Referring to the provincial budgets only, a combined budget of Rs636 billion has been earmarked for education in 2015-16 which is Rs84 billion (15%) more than the allocation in 2014-15. Looking at the education budget 2015-16, Pakistan allocated 22% of its Rs2, 918 billion budget (all provinces combined) for education which is higher than the recommended percentage in the Declaration.

And the Current Reality is….And the Current Reality is….

The Difference between Development budget Allocation and Expenditure at The Provincial Levels (2013-14)

The Difference between Development budget Allocation and Expenditure at The Provincial Levels (2013-14)

Based on the Political Economy Analysis of the district and

systematically supported by Social accountability tools: District Level Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS) and UC, Tehsil and district

level report cards (depicting spending patterns) are prepared and

widely disseminated

How will a model district look like??—“Model of Integrated Engagement”A district which demonstrates trackable improvements in ensuring that the education budget (development) spending is judiciously done according to need with yearlong agreed performance indicators (baseline) evidently reflecting gender responsiveness, timeliness and transparency supported and influenced by effective citizens’ voice and action with well-

coordinated involvement at the provincial level for better delivery of education services (equitable access & quality)

How will a model district look like??—“Model of Integrated Engagement”A district which demonstrates trackable improvements in ensuring that the education budget (development) spending is judiciously done according to need with yearlong agreed performance indicators (baseline) evidently reflecting gender responsiveness, timeliness and transparency supported and influenced by effective citizens’ voice and action with well-

coordinated involvement at the provincial level for better delivery of education services (equitable access & quality)

Accountability & Support in System Strengthening

Budget Advisory/Accountability Group works as self-driven

pressure group influencing the district authorities to bridge

commitment and implementation gap and support in required

capacity enhancement to be agile and responsive to needs

Capitalising upon the existing well-grounded district based structures of Women Leaders/Change Makers

and School Council Alliances Children and youth led campaigning

its My Right Make It Right, vibrant youth from Universities, private,

public colleges, social media ensure the judicious spending of the budget.

Budget Influencing through propagating “People Charter of

Demands” & influencing through social accountability tools, media

stunts, pressure tactics/campaigning based on

evidence based researches ensure judicious spending of existing

budget. Complementary linkages of annual district education

planning with effective school based budgeting (SDPs)

strengthened.

ResponsivenessTimely releases of school council funds,

school, district and provincial authorities are aware of the need for planning well and ensuring that the current budget expenditure is being

spent – as per the demands placed by BAG. 60 to 80% of the development budget being utilised is line with the needs of students articulated by the informed rights holders and active

citizens.

Focus on citizens’

Integrated Engagement,

Leveraging and system

Strengthening

What needs to be done is…

The Timely & Optimal

Utilization of all available

resources

“A conscious effort … from breaking the silos to working together”

Thank You