Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Secretary for Education and Professional Training, Nadeem Mahbub, has stressed the need for a balanced approach to data sharing in the education sector, warning that safeguards must be in place to prevent misuse.
He was speaking at a policy dialogue jointly organised by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) and the Data and Research in Education – Research Consortium (DARE-RC).
The session brought together policymakers, researchers and representatives of development organisations to build consensus on a national framework for education data sharing.
Mahbub commended the progress made by PIE in strengthening the national education data landscape and said that “transparent and ethical systems” were imperative for improving decision-making.
He noted that while data sharing enhances coordination across the sector, protecting information from misrepresentation must remain a priority.
Representatives from government bodies, universities and partner organisations emphasised the importance of clear data access protocols, accountability mechanisms and ethical responsibilities in handling education data.
They also highlighted the need for systems that support evidence-based policymaking and improved learning outcomes for children.
Speaking on behalf of the British High Commission, Salim Salamah, Deputy Group Head for Health, Education and Demography, said that Pakistan already has a substantial foundation of education data, but its effective use remains limited.
He said the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) envisions DARE-RC as a platform for strengthening transparent and ethical data systems to serve all children.
PIE Director General Dr Muhammad Shahid Soroya reiterated that provincial data consolidation and analytical support are central to the institute’s mandate.
He described trust as the “most critical element” of data-related work and thanked DARE-RC, FCDO and other partners for supporting the development of data-sharing protocols.
DARE-RC Team Lead Dr Ehtasham Anwar said that consistent and responsible use of data — rather than occasional exercises — was essential for meaningful reform in the education sector.
The national framework being developed, he said, aims to cover all aspects of data collection, sharing, usage and protection.
The dialogue also included contributions from education experts including Dr Kanwal Ameen, Dr Farah, Ms Rabia Awan, Ms Izza Farrukh and Mr Abid Gill, who shared recommendations for strengthening data governance.
DARE-RC presented key takeaways and next steps at the conclusion of the event, reaffirming its commitment to continued collaboration with PIE to improve systems and tools for reliable education data.
