ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Education on Tuesday directed provincial governments and the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) governments to ensure implementation of the single national curriculum (SNC) in public and private schools.
A day after formal launching of the SNC by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the ministry wrote to all chief secretaries (except Sindh) and chief commissioner Islamabad “to ensure implementation/monitoring in all public and private schools and deeni madaris as per the policy.”
The letter written by Additional Secretary (Education) Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani stated: “I am delighted to extend my gratitude for your support towards the development of first ever SNC in the history of Pakistan. The whole process is divided into three phases. The first phase of grades pre 1 to 5 has been completed.
“Since the SNC is to be followed by all streams of education i.e public schools, private schools and deeni madaris, it is important to ensure implementation/monitoring in letter and spirit. It is pertinent to mention here that no educational institution is exempted from SNC for grade Pre 1 to 5 from academic year 2021-2.”
The PM at the launch said the SNC will end disparity from society and provide an equal chance at excelling to all students.
Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said the SNC will bring real change in society and now all students have equal learning opportunities.
The federal government developed and launched the SNC for primary level and now the National Curriculum Council has been working to prepare SNC for class six to eight. In 2023, the SNC will be introduced from class nine to 12.
The prime minister issued directives to the education minister demanding that SNC should be introduced for Matriculation students within six months. It is relevant to note here that the Sindh government refused to adopt the curriculum; it is of the view that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, education is a devolved subject, therefore, curriculum-making is the domain of individual provinces.
Mr Mahmood said he is hopeful that Sindh will also adopt the SNC, adding that he would take up the matter with education minister and chief minister of Sindh. There will be no shortage of books in the market for private schools, he added.
An officer of the education ministry said that the government will ensure implementation of SNC and action will be taken against institutions found not implementing it. However, he said, the government has already allowed private schools to use additional materials or books in their curriculum if they wish.
Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2021
