Assessing needs: Advisory body discusses education overhaul

ISLAMABAD:

The federal education ministry held its “advisory committee” meeting on Wednesday to discuss a document, which has been prepared with the output of all stakeholders, envisioning overhauling the current education system in the country.

The document, titled “overall education standard for improved learning outcomes and school effectiveness—assessment of examination and assessment systems in Pakistan” was discussed in threadbare under the chair of Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Muhammad Balighur Rehman and Advisory Committee Convener Chaudhry Munir Ahmed. Advisory body members, eminent educationists, representatives of the GIZ and senior officers of the education ministry were also present.

Nighat Lone from GIZ informed participants about the document, which has been developed in coordination with federal and provincial governments and area education departments. She said that the document has been developed with the approval of all governments and emphasised the need for its effective implementation.

Haroona Jatoi presented recommendations of the advisory committee on reforming the evaluation and examination system.

While highlighting the importance of the evaluation system, she said that higher cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and analytical skills were rarely touched.

“Analysis of question papers set by various boards of intermediate and secondary education reveal that more than 60 per cent of questions assess mere students rote learning, which is one of the main reasons for poor quality of education and its ultimate product.”

Dr Masoom Yasinzai during his presentation on “Research and Development and Innovation” emphasised the need for developing strong linkages between research institutes and the industry in order to translate innovation to implementation.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2014.