Syllabus changes: ‘Imran’s vision of uniform curriculum far from reality’
Officials say government first needs to employ qualified teachers.
Officials say government first needs to employ qualified teachers. PHOTO: ONLINE
PESHAWAR:
Imran Khan’s dream of introducing a uniform curriculum for all schools remains a distant reality.
Officials of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education department say working group meetings were held in Lahore and group members have been trying to formulise a system, but it is difficult to introduce a uniform syllabus in all schools. This may only remain Imran’s dream, said an official familiar with the matter.
“The problem is the lack of qualified teachers. If the PTI still intends to bring the syllabus taught in private schools to government institutes, they first need to have qualified teaching staff,” said a department official.
A uniform education system is part of the PTI’s six-point education policy. The policy also envisages an increase in the education budget, increasing adult literacy and teacher training.
“The government also needs to provide students attending a public school the same environment being offered to students in a private school,” he added.
In addition to recruiting better teachers, it is equally important to ensure they are showing up at work and are not found absent from duty, he said. Improving the quality of the education system is a good initiative being undertaken by the government, but they should also consult the private sector, he added.
Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Muhammad Atif said this is a long process that will be implemented gradually and sequentially. “The process will start from teachers who will be trained at separate training centres.”
Atif pointed out both government and private schools follow the same syllabus for class 9 and 10. “Why can’t it be the same for 5th and 8th,” he said. “Things will gradually start improving and we will achieve our target once they start teaching the syllabus private schools are following in government schools as well,” he claimed.
The minister disclosed the government is planning to put in place an assessment system and set up a separate department to assess students from grade 5 to 8. “The government admits the standard of education in public schools is lower than private ones, but with sincere efforts, the quality can be brought up to par,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.
Imran Khan’s dream of introducing a uniform curriculum for all schools remains a distant reality.
Officials of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education department say working group meetings were held in Lahore and group members have been trying to formulise a system, but it is difficult to introduce a uniform syllabus in all schools. This may only remain Imran’s dream, said an official familiar with the matter.
“The problem is the lack of qualified teachers. If the PTI still intends to bring the syllabus taught in private schools to government institutes, they first need to have qualified teaching staff,” said a department official.
A uniform education system is part of the PTI’s six-point education policy. The policy also envisages an increase in the education budget, increasing adult literacy and teacher training.
“The government also needs to provide students attending a public school the same environment being offered to students in a private school,” he added.
In addition to recruiting better teachers, it is equally important to ensure they are showing up at work and are not found absent from duty, he said. Improving the quality of the education system is a good initiative being undertaken by the government, but they should also consult the private sector, he added.
Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Muhammad Atif said this is a long process that will be implemented gradually and sequentially. “The process will start from teachers who will be trained at separate training centres.”
Atif pointed out both government and private schools follow the same syllabus for class 9 and 10. “Why can’t it be the same for 5th and 8th,” he said. “Things will gradually start improving and we will achieve our target once they start teaching the syllabus private schools are following in government schools as well,” he claimed.
The minister disclosed the government is planning to put in place an assessment system and set up a separate department to assess students from grade 5 to 8. “The government admits the standard of education in public schools is lower than private ones, but with sincere efforts, the quality can be brought up to par,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.