KARACHI, Jan 10: After being informed by the Sindh Textbook Board that the books based on the revised curriculum could only be made available by the academic session, 2004-05, it seems that the Sindh Education department may delay its plan of implementing the revised curriculum of Mathematics and Science, for the primary, secondary and higher secondary levels, for a year.

According to an official report the STB has undertaken the task in collaboration with the Institute of Educational Development, Aga Khan university, the Educational Resource Development Centre and the Teachers’ Resource Centre.

The report stated that the science and mathematics’ curriculum, 2000, was received by the board in July, 2001, and for other subjects in July, 2002. The books for the primary classes were under the reviewing and editing process, which would be sent to the ministry of education in July-August, this year, for approval, the translation work would be completed up to the end of October, 2003, while the remaining work would be completed up to November-December, 2003, so that the books could be made available for the academic session, 2004-05.

There would be 5 titles for English subject, 6 each for Sindhi and Urdu subjects, 15 for Maths, 15 for Science subject in English, Urdu and Sindhi, 15 for Social Studies in English, Urdu and Sindhi and 4 titles for Islamiyat in Urdu and Sindhi.

As regards the books from class six to eight, the report stated that the textbooks for the subjects of English, Urdu, Maths, social Studies and Agrotech were developed under the Middle School Project and were sent to the STB by the ministry for implementation for the year 2003-04, but after evaluation, these titles were found substandard. These titles were now being reviewed and updated in accordance with the 2002 curriculum. The books of science subjects were also under the development process, in line with the 2002 curriculum.

The exercise of review and updating would be completed up to October, 2003, and the books would be available in market during the 2004-05 academic session, the report added.—PPI