ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in 2014 to make changes in the national curriculum to highlight the importance of constitutional democracy, rule of law and supremacy of parliament, but could not see them through.

Changes were to be made in the syllabus of the compulsory subjects of Pakistan Studies, English and Urdu at all primary, middle and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities, with the approval of the provincial governments.

To achieve the objective, the PM office had directed HEC to coordinate with academics, universities and publishers to develop grade-appropriate material within two months.

Sources privy to the plan said that initially, the HEC coordinated with the provinces and educational experts, organising several meetings. Later, the matter was referred to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

“The matter has not been delayed. Initially, the federal government wanted to make some changes over a few months, but soon we were directed not to just make changes, but to revise the entire curriculum that was introduced in 2006. This was a gigantic task that is now nearing completion,” said Rafiq Tahir, Joint Education Adviser at the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

Education official claims fresh curriculum notified for primary-level; syllabus for senior classes to be enforced from next year

He claimed that following approval from the National Curriculum Council, the new curriculum from pre-one to fifth grade was notified last month.

“We will soon start publishing books for the primary level,” he said. While making the curriculum, the prime minister’s directive was kept in view, both in letter and spirit.

“We are hopeful that from the next academic session (April 2018), students will be provided books based on the new curriculum.” He said the new curriculum did not encourage rote-learning, but was activity-based and had been prepared with the help of over 100 experts.

“We have focused on climate change, civic sense, democracy, rule of law, energy conservation, human rights and several other topics,” he said, adding special meetings were held between education experts and officials of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and the Ministry of Human Rights to take their input.

Mr Rafiq said the curriculum for grade six to eight was likely to be completed and notified by November. By January next year, the curriculum for classes nine to 12 will be completed.

“The education ministry has notified the new curriculum for the primary level, while work is in progress on the curriculum of the remaining classes.”

Asked whether the provinces would adopt the new curriculum, he said: “The National Curriculum Council has equal representation, so the provinces are on board. Although it will be their choice, we will introduce the new syllabus in the federal capital territory from the upcoming academic session,” he said.

According to a statement issued by the PM Office in 2014, the new curriculum should include chapters aimed at promoting constitutional democracy for Pakistan’s progress and identity, deepening the understanding of the merits of the constitutional democratic process and pluralism in the international and national context.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2017