ISLAMABAD: A technical committee on the New National Curriculum has, in principle, approved the draft of a new scheme of study aimed at reducing the burden on schoolchildren and introducing important new subjects, including social sciences and civic education.
Federal Secretary of Education Nadeem Mahbub said the proposed scheme of study was presented during the meeting and was approved in principle.
“Today, the scheme of study was presented, and participants in principle approved it. In the coming days, after further discussion, this scheme of study will be implemented,” he said.
Talking to Private Newspaper after the meeting, Mr Mahbub said that before the first meeting of the technical committee, both the federal and provincial governments conducted surveys in schools. The surveys showed that children from nursery to grade two were facing an excessive academic burden.
He said students, especially in grades one and two, were finding it difficult to learn because they were being overloaded with studies.
ALSO READ
KP announces Rs2,000 fuel relief for bikers, rickshaw owners
The secretary said that after reviewing the survey findings, stakeholders agreed to take steps to reduce the burden on students, particularly from nursery to grade two.
He said it was decided that children in these early classes should be given more flexibility and should be taught through interesting, enjoyable and activity-based learning instead of putting too much pressure on them.
“We want to make the syllabus more effective and easier for children to understand,” he said.
Mr Mahbub said there was also a need to properly reintroduce civic education, which was once regularly taught in schools but was gradually ignored over time.
He said the subject would now be brought back under the title of social sciences and civic.
He added that the government was also working to include other important subjects in the curriculum, such as life safety skills, climate change and financial literacy.
The education secretary said the ministry wanted to introduce the new syllabus from the next academic session.
Replying to a question, he said that all stakeholders, including the federal government and provinces, were on the same page regarding the proposed reforms.
Meanwhile, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Education, the third meeting of the technical committee was attended by Minister of State for Education Wajiha Qamar and Secretary of Education Nadeem Mahbub, where the draft was discussed in detail.
ALSO READ
CDA gets new finance, planning, admin and estate members
The meeting was co-chaired by Dr Nasir Mehmood, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU).
During the meeting, Dr Tabassum Naz, Director of the National Curriculum Council (NCC), presented the proposed scheme of studies and highlighted key reforms aimed at making the curriculum more balanced, organised and future-oriented.
The education secretary held detailed discussions with all stakeholders and especially stressed the need for a progressive shift in language policy.
Minister of State for Education Wajiha Qamar appreciated the direction of the reforms and said the government was moving in the right direction.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Dr Nasir Mehmood also addressed concerns raised by participants and ensured a balanced and inclusive discussion.
According to the statement, the meeting saw active participation from stakeholders from Islamabad, all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan, showing strong cooperation among all federating units.
