In a first, K-P introduces regional-language books in govt schools

Elementary and Secondary Education Department and provincial IT Board sign MoU


Asad Zia February 28, 2017
Elementary and Secondary Education Department and provincial IT Board sign MoU. PHOTO: AFP

PESHAWAR: In a first, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has introduced regional language books in the province’s government schools, which will be taught from the coming academic year.

This was announced by K-P Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Muhammad Atif Khan while addressing the participants of K-P Textbook Board’s book distribution ceremony. The minister said that for the first time in the history of the province, regional languages like Saraiki, Hindku, Khowar will be introduced in government schools from the coming academic year, which will start in April.

Regional languages fail the technology barrier

Atif also said that the government has reviewed Mathematics, Science and English books of grade 1 to 5 and brought them to the minimum national standard. The minimum national standard was set in 2016 which were to be followed by all provinces.

The minister said, “The review has improved the content, titles and illustrations in the textbooks,” adding that more than 50 million books have been printed this year.



He also claimed that for the first time in K-P government schools, books for drawing and arts have been introduced at the primary level to encourage the creative abilities of the children.

Separately, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Elementary and Secondary Education Department and Provincial IT Board launching an early age programming course in the IT labs of K-P government schools for grade 7 to 9.

The MoU was signed at the Peshawar University Teachers Association Hall on Monday, in the presence of K-P Minister for Information Technology Shaharam Khan Tarakai and Elementary and Secondary Education Muhammad Atif Khan.

Briefing the participants IT board managing director Dr Shehbaz informed that the programme will be launched in 60 government schools of 14 districts in the first phase. He added that if the programme is found to be successful, then it would be implemented in the entire province. Under the programme, children would be taught fundamentals of information technology.

Media ignoring regional languages

Atif maintained that education and IT are interlinked and progress and prosperous sans promotion of IT is impossible in the current era. He added that this was why the PTI led government was practically introducing IT in all sectors.

The minister added that the number of IT labs has also increased from 170 to 1,340 during the last three years and 500 more IT labs would be established in the current financial year.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2017.

COMMENTS (2)

RK Singh | 7 years ago | Reply Good move.
abreez | 7 years ago | Reply Regional Languages of KPK which are being used most commonly are: Pashto. Hindko. Khowar. Kalami. Torwai. Kyrgyz. Palula. Lalkoti.
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