Punjab govt reverts changes to curriculum
Minister says hundreds of queries are being received on a subject that has created a lot of confusion
PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE:
The Punjab government has decided to revert the changes made to the curriculum for the current academic year.
The decision of the Punjab government was announced by School Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan at a press conference on Monday. The government also announced it will initiate two separate inquiries into the controversy of claims of removing chapters and topics relating to religious and national personalities.
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Punjab School Education Secretary Dr Allah Baksh Malik and Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) Managing Director Amir Ijaz Akbar also attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the news of claims in some sections of the media that the PCTB had removed chapters on religious and national personalities or Islam from textbooks had created confusion among parents and teachers as the new academic year had started.
“We have been receiving hundreds of queries on the subject as it has created a lot of confusion. To counter this, we have decided to add the older curriculum in addition to the new one. It [additional material] will be provided to the schools in the shape of booklets within 5 days,” said Khan.
Meeting reviews new curriculum based on modern educational standards
He added that they have also decided to review the objections put forward by some sections of the media. For this, they have constituted two separate committees which would look into the matter. The first committee would be formed under the Punjab School Education Secretary Dr Allah Baksh Malik, which would be a third party validation on the objections raised.
The second would be held by the Chief Minister's Inspection Team (CMIT). It would look into whether the policy and procedures for modifying and updating the curriculum were observed by the PCTB.
The CMIT would furnish its report in seven days to the chief minister. If the legal checks and procedures were not followed by the PCTB, strict action would be taken against those responsible.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2017.
The Punjab government has decided to revert the changes made to the curriculum for the current academic year.
The decision of the Punjab government was announced by School Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan at a press conference on Monday. The government also announced it will initiate two separate inquiries into the controversy of claims of removing chapters and topics relating to religious and national personalities.
K-P to include diabetes in curriculum
Punjab School Education Secretary Dr Allah Baksh Malik and Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) Managing Director Amir Ijaz Akbar also attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the news of claims in some sections of the media that the PCTB had removed chapters on religious and national personalities or Islam from textbooks had created confusion among parents and teachers as the new academic year had started.
“We have been receiving hundreds of queries on the subject as it has created a lot of confusion. To counter this, we have decided to add the older curriculum in addition to the new one. It [additional material] will be provided to the schools in the shape of booklets within 5 days,” said Khan.
Meeting reviews new curriculum based on modern educational standards
He added that they have also decided to review the objections put forward by some sections of the media. For this, they have constituted two separate committees which would look into the matter. The first committee would be formed under the Punjab School Education Secretary Dr Allah Baksh Malik, which would be a third party validation on the objections raised.
The second would be held by the Chief Minister's Inspection Team (CMIT). It would look into whether the policy and procedures for modifying and updating the curriculum were observed by the PCTB.
The CMIT would furnish its report in seven days to the chief minister. If the legal checks and procedures were not followed by the PCTB, strict action would be taken against those responsible.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2017.