An exploratory study of factors which have contributed to the sustainability of community participation in education in Balochistan, Pakistan

Educators have studied community participation as it relates to school efficiency, academic effectiveness, social mobilization, and the accountability of partners involved in the education process. The study of the sustainability or continuity of community participation over time, is an area which requires more research. This exploratory study is a step in that direction. It was designed to analyze, through interviews, observations and secondary analysis of existing data, the characteristics of selected rural communities in Balochistan, Pakistan, in which girls' primary schools were established by Village Education Committees (VECs). The analysis of the qualitative data gathered for this study suggests that sustainability of community participation in the villages studied in Balochistan may be a result of: the desire of the community to improve its condition through education; formalization of responsibilities of the community through a signed agreement; active involvement of rural mothers in education; the role of a facilitator (NGO) for continuous training and motivation of the community groups; open communication between village education committees and others; and social and economic homogeneity among the villagers.