ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
Department of Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership
Course: Plan Implementation and Educational Management
Course code: 8617; Semester: Spring 2024; Level: B.Ed. (1.5 Years)
ASSIGNMENT NO. 1
(Units: 1–5)
Q.1 Why is plan formulation a crucial function? What are the principal characteristics of
an educational plan? Justify your answers with examples. (20)
Plan formulation is crucial in any organizational, national, or institutional context, particularly in
education, for several reasons:
1. Goalsetting and Direction: Plan formulation ensures that goals are clearly defined and the
pathway to achieve these goals is systematically outlined. In education, for instance, developing
a national education policy sets the vision for literacy improvement, vocational training, and
equitable access to education. Without a formulated plan, these efforts would be chaotic and
ineffective.
2. Resource Allocation: Through proper planning, limited resources can be allocated optimally.
For example, in a country like Pakistan with constrained educational budgets, planning helps
prioritize key areas such as teacher training or infrastructure improvements.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation: A formulated plan provides measurable objectives, making it
easier to track progress. If the goal is to improve primary school enrollment, a good plan allows
for regular monitoring of enrollment rates to assess whether the interventions are effective.
4. Risk Management: Planning identifies potential risks, such as economic downturns or political
instability, and incorporates strategies to mitigate them. In education, this could involve
contingency planning for online learning during pandemics.
Principal characteristics of an educational plan include:
1. Clarity of Objectives: The plan should have specific, measurable objectives. For example, an
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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
Department of Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership
Course: Plan Implementation and Educational Management
Course code: 8617; Semester: Spring 2024; Level: B.Ed. (1.5 Years)
educational plan aiming to improve literacy might set an objective of increasing literacy rates by
10% over five years.
2. Comprehensive Scope: The plan must address various components such as infrastructure,
curriculum development, teacher training, and funding.
3. Flexibility: An educational plan must be adaptable to changing social, economic, and
technological conditions. For example, a plan might need to integrate digital education strategies
due to a rise in online learning demands.
4. Inclusivity: The plan must ensure equity in education, including gender, ruralurban divides,
and addressing the needs of disabled learners.
5. Realistic and Achievable Goals: The plan should reflect a realistic assessment of available
resources and time frames.
Example: The National Education Policy of Finland focuses on student wellbeing, equity, and
teacher autonomy. It provides a holistic approach that incorporates inclusive policies and
resource allocations to build an equitable education system.
Q.2 Critically analyze the process of plan elaboration in Pakistan? Suggest different
strategies to make this process efficient and effective. (20)
Plan elaboration in Pakistan involves several stages:
1. Need Identification: The process starts with identifying needs in various sectors, such as
health or education.
2. Stakeholder Consultation: Government agencies, civil society, and sometimes international
partners are consulted.
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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
Department of Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership
Course: Plan Implementation and Educational Management
Course code: 8617; Semester: Spring 2024; Level: B.Ed. (1.5 Years)
3. Resource Assessment: The next step involves understanding the availability of resources.
4. Policy Formulation: Based on consultations and available data, policies are drafted.
5. Approval and Implementation: Once approved, the plan is implemented, monitored, and
reviewed.
Challenges in Pakistan's planning process include:
1. Bureaucratic Delays: Lengthy approval procedures often hinder efficient plan formulation.
2. Resource Constraints: Limited financial and human resources lead to unrealistic targets.
3. Lack of Data: Inaccurate or outdated data often results in ineffective plans.
4. Political Instability: Frequent changes in government lead to inconsistent policies.
Strategies for Improvement:
1. Strengthening Data Collection Systems: Developing reliable, realtime data systems can help in
better planning. This could involve partnerships with international organizations or the private
sector.
2. Capacity Building: Training bureaucrats and local officials in modern planning techniques,
including the use of technology and project management tools, will enhance the overall process.
3. Public Private Partnerships: Encouraging collaborations between government and the private
sector can bring in expertise, funding, and innovative ideas for effective plan implementation.
4. Decentralization: Giving more autonomy to local governments in planning and execution can
ensure that plans are more contextually relevant and efficiently implemented.
Example: The Education Sector Reform Assistance (ESRA) in Pakistan aimed at decentralizing
educational governance. However, its lack of sustained political support led to challenges in its
continuity and effectiveness.
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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
Department of Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership
Course: Plan Implementation and Educational Management
Course code: 8617; Semester: Spring 2024; Level: B.Ed. (1.5 Years)
Q.3 Explain the function and computational techniques of project appraisal in the context
of Pakistan. (20)
Project appraisal is the process of evaluating the feasibility and potential impact of a project
before its implementation. In the context of Pakistan, it serves several purposes:
1. Financial Viability: Ensures that a project is economically feasible, especially considering
Pakistan's limited resources.
2. Social Impact: Evaluates how the project will affect communities, especially marginalized
groups.
3. Environmental Sustainability: Considers the project’s environmental impact, which is critical
given Pakistan’s environmental challenges.
4. Risk Assessment: Identifies potential risks and suggests mitigation strategies.
Computational Techniques for Project Appraisal:
1. Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA): Compares the expected costs against the projected benefits of a
project. This technique is commonly used for infrastructure projects like roads and dams.
2. Net Present Value (NPV): Assesses the profitability of a project by calculating the difference
between the present value of cash inflows and outflows. For instance, a rural electrification
project would use NPV to determine its long term financial returns.
3. Internal Rate of Return (IRR): Evaluates the expected rate of return of a project. In Pakistan,
IRR is often used for projects like power generation plants.
4. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Required by law for major projects, EIA is used to
evaluate the environmental implications, such as for a new dam project.
Example: The Diamer Bhasha Dam in Pakistan underwent rigorous project appraisal, including
CBA and EIA, to ensure its feasibility in terms of economic and environmental factors.
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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
Department of Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership
Course: Plan Implementation and Educational Management
Course code: 8617; Semester: Spring 2024; Level: B.Ed. (1.5 Years)
Q.4 Write a project draft with all components of a project. (20)
Project Title: "Improving Primary Education Access in Rural Sindh"
Project Goal: To increase primary school enrollment in rural Sindh by 25% over five years.
Project Objectives:
1. Build 100 new primary schools in underserved areas.
2. Train 500 teachers in child centered teaching methods.
3. Provide free learning materials to 10,000 children annually.
Key Components:
1. Background/Context: Rural Sindh has one of the lowest primary school enrollment rates in
Pakistan, especially for girls. The lack of infrastructure and trained teachers is a significant
barrier.
2. Target Population: The project will target children aged 510 in rural Sindh, particularly girls.
3. Project Activities:
Construction of schools.
Teacher training workshops.
Distribution of school supplies.
4. Budget:
School construction: $5 million.
Teacher training: $1 million.
Learning materials: $500,000.
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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
Department of Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership
Course: Plan Implementation and Educational Management
Course code: 8617; Semester: Spring 2024; Level: B.Ed. (1.5 Years)
5. Implementation Timeline:
Year 1: Site selection and teacher recruitment.
Year 23: School construction.
Year 45: Teacher training and material distribution.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation:
Quarterly reports on school construction progress.
Annual assessment of enrollment rates and learning outcomes.
7. Risk Assessment: Potential challenges include political instability and community resistance,
which will be mitigated by engaging local leaders and stakeholders.
Q.5 Analyze the concepts of school catchment area with reference to geographical
diversity. What are the factors that may influence the school mapping decisions while
planning the location of a Public Sector University in Gilgit Baltistan? (20)
A school catchment area refers to the geographical boundary within which students are eligible
to attend a particular school. In regions with geographical diversity, such as mountains or
deserts, the concept of catchment areas becomes more complex.
In Gilgit Baltistan, a region characterized by rugged terrain, valleys, and scattered populations,
several factors influence school mapping and the decision to establish a public sector university:
1. Geographical Constraints: The mountainous terrain in Gilgit Baltistan limits accessibility,
making it essential to select a university location that is accessible to students from various
districts.
2. Population Density: Since the population is dispersed, the catchment area for a university
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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
Department of Educational Planning, Policy Studies and Leadership
Course: Plan Implementation and Educational Management
Course code: 8617; Semester: Spring 2024; Level: B.Ed. (1.5 Years)
needs to cover a broader region. This may involve building additional hostels and transportation
services.
3. Cultural Factors: Gilgit Baltistan has a diverse cultural landscape. Decisions about where to
establish a university may also consider the cultural composition of the area, ensuring inclusivity
in higher education.
4. Economic Considerations: The economic conditions in the region may affect school mapping.
Establishing a university in a central location that can drive economic growth through
employment opportunities can be a factor.
5. Environmental Sustainability: Given the fragile ecosystem of Gilgit Baltistan, school mapping
must account for environmental factors. For example, building in an area prone to landslides or
flooding would be risky.
Example: The Karakoram International University in Gilgit was strategically located to serve
students from the surrounding valleys, but challenges such as seasonal access due to weather still
affect students from remote areas.
In conclusion, the establishment of educational institutions in geographically diverse regions like
Gilgit Baltistan requires careful consideration of terrain, population distribution, and
infrastructure.
