In a historic move for Pakistan’s education system, the curriculum standards for grades 9 to 12 are undergoing a comprehensive review by provincial authorities. This critical development was recently discussed during a briefing to the Caretaker Minister for Federal Education, Madad Ali Sindhi, who learned about the remarkable progress made by the National Curriculum Council (NCC) in shaping the future of education in the country.
Under the post-18th Amendment scenario, Dr. Mariam Chughtai, Director of NCC, elucidated the functions of the NCC to Minister Sindhi. One of the most significant milestones highlighted during this meeting was the unanimous agreement among provincial experts on national curriculum standards for grades 9-12. This marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s educational history, as it is the first time a core curriculum spanning from grades 1 to 12, including early years, has received the endorsement of subject experts from all provinces.
While standards for grades 1-8 and early years are already in motion for implementation across all provinces, grades 9-12 are currently undergoing a rigorous review process at the provincial level before final notifications are issued. It’s noteworthy that, with the exception of Sindh, all provinces and federating units had already embraced the curriculum developed by the NCC for grades 1 to 8. However, Sindh joined the ranks last year by adopting the curriculum for science subjects as well.
The Government of Sindh issued a significant notification on August 8, stating, “Government of Sindh is pleased to accord no-objection certificate for adopting the curriculum standards for five core subjects of National Curriculum of Pakistan, i.e., Early Child Education (ECE), Mathematics, English, General Science, and Computer Science from Class ECE to Class XII. Additionally, Curriculum Standards for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for Grades IX to XII, after review and mediation by the Curriculum Development and Review Committee of Directorate of Curriculum, Assessment and Research, School Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh.”
During the extensive briefing at the NCC, Minister Sindhi was apprised of the ongoing collaboration between the NCC and the Sindh government concerning teacher development and assessment activities. Furthermore, discussions revolved around the significant steps taken to train textbook authors and reviewers in all provinces and regions.
Notably, the NCC, in conjunction with other stakeholders, has been diligently working to establish uniformity in technical education. Several meetings with boards and other stakeholders have already been convened to discuss this crucial aspect of educational reform.
In a press release following the meeting, Mr. Sindhi commended the NCC for its pivotal role in coordinating among the federating units. He also applauded the dedication of provincial government stakeholders in championing the cause of quality education for every child in the nation, emphasizing the alignment of international standards in curriculum reforms.
The press release reiterated that the development of the National Curriculum of Pakistan has been an inclusive nationwide process, actively involving provinces. Their invaluable feedback has been systematically gathered and thoughtfully incorporated through an extensive and comprehensive process.
This groundbreaking development in Pakistan’s education system, with a focus on curriculum reform from grades 9 to 12, demonstrates the country’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education. The collaborative efforts of provincial authorities, subject experts, and educational stakeholders reflect a unified vision for a brighter and more standardized future for Pakistan’s education. This journey toward excellence promises to bridge gaps and ensure that all students receive the best education possible, regardless of their geographical location or background.