MINGORA: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is working on introducing a uniform education system in the province, says Adviser to Chief Minister on Education Ziaullah Khan Bangash.

Talking to journalists here on Tuesday evening, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised to introduce uniform curriculum in all the educational institutions of the country including government and private schools, colleges, universities and religious seminaries.

He said that prime minister in his first address to the nation promised that his government would introduce uniform education system in the country.

CM’s adviser says instead of setting up new schools, second shift to be started in existing ones

“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has already been working on it,” said Mr Bangash. He said that the uniform curriculum would replace the existing class-based education system.

He added that for the purpose, prime minister called emergent consultation meeting of all the education ministers and advisers of the federal and provincial governments few days ago.

The adviser claimed that for the first time, transparent recruitment of physically challenged persons was made in education sector.

He said that owing to growing number of students in the government educational institutions, second shift was also being started.

He said that government had decided that children of government schoolteachers would study in the state-run schools.

“I myself have followed this principle and admitted my child to a government school. The members of all the assemblies, government officers and teachers will also abide by this rule,” he added.

Mr Bangash asked the teachers to admit their children to government schools and improve standard of education. “Beginning second shift in educational institutions is part of a comprehensive educational policy of the government,” he added.

He said that government would not construct new schools rather evening shifts would be started in the existing schools. He added that in case of non-availability of school building in an area, a rented building would be arranged by the government.

Mr Bangash also said that localised recruitment of youth as teachers in schools would be introduced.

He said that government implemented public-private partnership scheme in education sector in the localities that lacked state-run schools.

“Children will be admitted to private educational institutions and their fees will be paid by government,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2019