It has been over two years since the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) began offering free education to students aged between 5 and 16 years, in light of the Free and Compulsory Education Act 2012. However, the FDE has failed to fully implement this act in true letter and spirit.

The FDE and the Capital Administration and Development Division’s (CADD) seriousness in implementing this act, can be gauged from the fact that it took CADD over two years to notify it.

Even after notification last month, two major steps are yet to be taken. These include the establishment of an Academic Authority and an Education Advisory Council.

According to the act, the federal government is responsible for establishing the Academic Authority which would design the curriculum and approve textbooks for students.

The authority would also be responsible for developing and enforcing teacher training standards and providing technical support and resources for planning and capacity building for teachers and education managers.

Currently, the CADD does not have a department for curriculum development at schools under the Islamabad Capital Territory.

“The proposed authority is a requirement for these educational institutions because it would develop and improve curriculum and ensure teacher training,” said a senior CADD official.

“Currently, the CADD appears to have no policy on this important matter,” he added.

He said the law bounds the CADD to constitute a nine-member Education Advisory Council, comprising of people with practical experience in the fields of education, child rights and child development, to advise the government on the implementation the act in an effective manner.

Additionally, when the curriculum wing is transferred to the federal education ministry, in accordance with a directive by the prime minister, the CADD will no longer have a body to develop curriculum for 422 educational institutions of the federal capital.

Senior CADD officials told Dawn that the members for the education advisory council have almost been finalised and would be notified within the next few days.

Speaking to Dawn, senior officials of CADD claimed that they have almost finalized composition of education advisory council, which will be notified in next few days.

“We have finalized nine names for the Education Advisory Council and they will be notified soon,” said Qaisar Majid Malik, CADD Additional Secretary.

When asked about the Academic Authority, he said initially the advisory council will be made, after which the CADD will begin working towards the establishment of the Academic Authority.

Published in Dawn March 20th, 2015

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