ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training on Wednesday allowed private publishers and interested educational institutions to print model textbooks based on the Single National Curriculum (SNC) for class pre-1 to V.

For the upcoming academic session to be started next month, the SNC-based syllabus will be introduced at the primary level across the country.

“Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has decided to allow the interested private publishers and educational institutions to print the model textbooks on SNC for Grade Pre I-V free of cost under a short agreement,” said a press release issued by the ministry.

It said the decision was taken by the education minister Shafqat Mahmood to facilitate private publishers and educational institutions.

“These model textbooks on SNC were developed by the National Curriculum Council (NCC) and written by authors selected through a competitive process. These model textbooks have been reviewed by experts from across Pakistan. The textbooks are age appropriate, child-centred, activity based and aligned with culture and values of Pakistan.”

The ministry said these textbooks promote critical, analytical and creative thinking. Private publishers and educational institutions, interested in printing the model textbooks, have been asked to contact the National Curriculum Council Secretariat.

“They will sign an agreement after which they will be provided free of cost softcopies to print the textbooks. This step will help in smooth roll out of the national curriculum in a timely and befitting manner,” it said.

An officer of the education ministry said earlier private publishers were allowed to publish their own books based on SNC, however, now they have also been given permission to publish the same textbooks which have already been published by government publishers.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2021