Sindh to finally publish new computer science textbook

Current textbook covers outdated topics such as floppy disks, MS DOS, Windows 98

KARACHI: The Sindh school education and literacy department has finally decided to change its obsolete computer science curriculum for Classes 9 and 10 and publish a new textbook for the subject.

In a press release, the Sindh Textbook Board announced that a new edition of the textbook would be published as per the new curriculum, adding that it would be available for the new academic session, which is scheduled to begin from July 2020.

Last year, when the Sindh textbook board published the latest edition of the Computer Science textbook for Class 9, it appeared that the students were still expected to learn about MS DOS, Windows 98, CD ROMs and floppy disks - outdated things that few of them would ever even see.

When The Express Tribune reached out to the education authorities at the time, the director of the Sindh Bureau of Curriculum stated that the syllabus was next in line to be revised. The syllabus in use at the time had been devised in 2002.

However, The Express Tribune reported on Saturday, although the scheme of studies at the matriculation level was revised and brought more in line with modern requirements, the authorities curiously decided to stick to the same outdated textbook, dividing the chapters between Class 9 and Class 10. The development came to light when Board of Secondary Education Karachi chairperson Professor Saeeduddin complained about the matter to the Sindh education department.

Taking notice of the report in The Express Tribune, the Sindh Textbook Board issued a press release the same day, informing all stakeholders, including students and teachers, that the new edition of the textbook was in the process of publication.

Board chairperson Agha Sohail, when contacted for confirmation, said that the notice had been issued for clarification in light of the report, adding that The Express Tribune's efforts had been a guideline for the department.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2020.