Navigating Educational Change: A SWOT Analysis of Punjab’s Public Schools Reorganization Program (PSRP)

Abstract

The paper is about the Public Schools Reorganization Program (PSRP) proposed by the Government of Punjab, Pakistan, as a far-reaching educational reform agenda project, which attempts to increase efficiency, equity, and learning in government schools. In order to assess both internal and external factors of PSRP, the study uses the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to assess the overall impact and sustainability of the activities carried out by the organization. A mixed-method research design comprising qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted, upon which 15 education administrators and head teachers were interviewed qualitatively, after which the survey was done on 300 teachers in 5 districts of Punjab qualitatively using a quantitative survey. They were analyzed using thematic analysis for the qualitative data and statistical analysis for the quantitative data. Results indicated that the administrative performance, accountability, and resource use had great strengths. Program effectiveness, however, was compromised by weaknesses of inconsistent implementation, lack of training in teachers, and involvement of the stakeholders. There were prospects of technological integration and community involvement, and compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On the other hand, the threats comprised political instabilities, economic constraints, and citizens’ doubts towards government-initiated change. The paper concluded that even though PSRP had the promise of transformation in the education system of Punjab, its implementation requires a long-term policy commitment, a participatory approach, and active monitoring. The results are relevant to the discussion of evidence-based reform evaluation and have implications for policymakers and practitioners who may be involved in educational restructuring in developing situations.