ISLAMABAD: Participants of the National Curriculum Summit on Wednesday appreciated the curriculum council for formulating a curriculum for classes 1-12, stressing that training should be imparted to teachers for the effective implementation of the new curriculum.

The National Curriculum Council (NCC) developed the curriculum for classes one to eight, which has been implemented in Islamabad and three provinces except for Sindh -- which adopted it partially.

After completing the curriculum from one to eight, the NCC developed the curriculum for classes nine to 12 as well. It will be implemented in two phases – for grades 9-11 in the academic session of 2024 and for grades 10-12 in 2025.

The NCC had already notified the curriculum in Islamabad for the upcoming session; however, provinces have yet to notify it. “There is no difference, as in May this year, representatives of all provinces agreed upon the said curriculum, soon they will notify it,” said an official of NCC. He said that Sindh also showed the willingness to adopt it but before notifying the curriculum, they are reviewing it.

Official says Sindh reviewing curriculum before notifying it

The experts while speaking at the summit also urged for teacher training and guidance for writers and authors who would write the textbooks for grades 9 and 11.

During the summit, the NCC officials informed that the council was already working to impart training to the teachers and a strategy in consultation with provinces has already been devised.

Effective reforms

“Curriculum reform cannot be effective until basic facilities in all public schools across Pakistan are provided,” said Caretaker Education Minister Madad Ali Sindhi.

The education minister lauded the efforts of the NCC for coordination among the federating units. He expressed satisfaction with the completed tasks of the National Curriculum of Pakistan.

Mr Sindhi also praised the role of the provincial governments in upholding the cause of quality education for all children of the nation by championing international standards in curriculum reforms.

He ensured that the initiatives regarding the development of the curriculum standards for a range of elective subjects and streamlining technical education across the country would continue in coordination with the stakeholders.

Along with different panel discussions, presentations were also given by the experts on different aspects of the curriculum reforms. The summit, which was organised jointly by the planning and education ministries along with the NCC was attended by a number of educationists. Four different panel discussions were held on curriculum reforms, textbooks, teachers, and assessments.

‘Open dialogue’

NCC Director Dr Mariam Chughtai gave a presentation on different aspects of the curriculum. She termed the summit an important part of the open dialogue, and continuation of the discourse.

Secretary Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry termed the summit a “great success”. He informed the audience that for the “first time in the country’s history, a core curriculum from grades 1-12 and Early Years has been signed off by subject experts from all provinces”.

He acknowledged the invaluable support and coordination from the provincial education departments, without which this collaborative journey would not have been possible. He also paid gratitude to the private sector, civil society, academics, and minority voices who remained actively engaged in this process, ensuring that all stakeholders were heard and represented.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2023