ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) clarified that Urdu has never been mandatory at the undergraduate level.
As per official news agency report, the subject is still taught at levels up to higher secondary education, i.e., intermediate or equivalent.
The clarification was issued in response to misleading news that had been published regarding the exclusion of Urdu as a compulsory subject at the undergraduate level.
Moreover, it was clarified that during the formulation of the HEC Undergraduate Education Policy V 1.1 (2023), all key stakeholders were consulted, and the policy was finalized accordingly.
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It should also be noted that at the undergraduate level, a full-fledged specialized degree program in Urdu is offered, with a curriculum developed by HEC and available on the HEC website.
Including Associate Degrees, the minimum requirement for the general education component is 32 credits across all undergraduate degree programs.
Report Says, Regarding optional subjects, universities may add more courses, including Urdu, as needed, with no restrictions from the HEC.
The main goal of the policy is to improve student learning, seen as the ability to understand and use knowledge, build professional skills, and show strong civic and moral values of tolerance and inclusion.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) remains dedicated to supporting universities in ensuring that undergraduate education meets international standards while staying relevant to the country’s needs.
