Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood on Sunday announced the commencement of a “widespread consultation” process to introduce Pakistan's first ever National Education Policy 2021.
The federal education ministry sought suggestions from the stakeholders and general public in this regard.
The education ministry had been formulating the National Education Policy 2021 according to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan with an aim to bring uniformity in the education system.
Speaking about the initiative, Mahmood stressed the need to formulate a “formal education policy" in the country, saying the consultation process was being kick-started on his directions.
“While we have taken a number of initiatives including single national curriculum, a formal education policy for the country is necessary," Shafqat wrote on his official Twitter handle.
“So on my direction a process has been started by the Ministry of Education which includes widespread consultation. All suggestions welcome,” he added.
The education ministry urged citizens and stakeholders to be a part of the policy-formulating process and asked them to send their suggestions at pakistaneducationpolicy2021@gmail.com for the purpose.
Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training had written a letter to all the provincial governments to seek their input on key aspects of the policy convergence and the suggested topics which need to be covered in national policy document. The national document will be finalised by the end of March 2021.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that the enforcement of a uniform educational curriculum would unify the nation and eliminate the societal divisions created by the current curricula.
“The existing [education] system is a hurdle to the unity of the nation rather it alienates children from Pakistan. And this has happened in every society with colonial footprints,” PM Imran said.
The premier maintained that in order to provide level-playing field to all students in the country, introducing uniform education system was his government's top priority.
He observed that the national education policy besides bringing improvement in the quality of education would also empower all segments of society and provide equal opportunities.
PM Imran noted that the new policy would ensure provision of quality education while the uniform education system would set an example for other countries in the region to follow.
The National Education Policy 2021 is aimed at ensuring national cohesion and harmony across religious and ethnic divides as well as capturing the divergence in society.
It will also cover different educational aspects including examination system, admissions, teacher management and others.
The policy will confirm the principle of equity in education for all children and institutions across the country.
Pakistan had formulated the National Education Policy in 2009, however, shortly thereafter in April 2010, the constitution was amended and the subject of education was fully devolved to the provinces. In September 2011, a joint declaration on education was signed by all the provinces and areas.
The joint declaration stated that the federal, provincial and the area representatives declare that the National Education Policy 2009 subject to such adaptations as necessitated in view of the 18th constitutional amendment shall continue to be a jointly-owned national document.
With input from APP
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