First Phase Of Single National Curriculum Launched By Imran Khan

In order to fulfill his vision to put an end to the educational disparity in the country, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has taken the initiative to launch the first phase of his new curriculum. The Single National Curriculum (SNC) extends to students studying in grades 1 till 5. 

While talking about his plans for the SNC on Monday, the premier asserted that it has been his vision to implement a uniform syllabus in the country and put an end to the class-based education system. According to him, Pakistan is the only country in the world which uses three different types of syllabuses in public schools, private schools, as well as religious seminaries. 

He maintained that he was aware that implementing a uniform curriculum will not be an easy task. The leader admitted that the elite system is bound to challenge this new curriculum but, he is steadfast in ensuring that this change happens. He further added that the process has been started and is now irreversible. 

As per the Prime Minister, the SNC will take the youth of Pakistan on a single path and ensure that they are free from the invasion of foreign cultures. He instructed Shafqat Mehmood, the Minister for Education, to enforce this new uniform syllabus for grade 1 till grade 5, before the year is out. 

In Imran’s words, the new curriculum will help the youngsters of the country understand their religion better, in order to make sure that they are not misled by various elements, who seek to misinterpret religion for personal gain. 

The premier elaborated that the minorities in Pakistan will also be given the opportunity to educate themselves regarding their respective religions. Shafqat Mehmood also talked about the SNC, saying that the first phase of the new and uniform curriculum had been implemented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan. The federal minister expressed hope that the Sindh government would also decide to implement the SNC in the province. 

The Single National Curriculum has been designed by the National Curriculum Council, which joined hands with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The education departments of all the federating units of the country were also consulted and collaborated with on the matter. 

It has been planned that the SNC will be developed, and consequently released, in three distinct phases. The first phase will consist of the implementation of the curriculum for grades 1 till 5 for the academic year 2021 till 2022. In the second and third phases, grades 6 till 8, and grades 9 till 12 will be brought into the fold. The former will apply the uniform curriculum for the academic session 2022 till 2023, whereas the senior classes will be expected to start following the SNC from 2023 onwards. 

The SNC was developed in a way to consider various aspects of the country and its primary religion. For example, Seerat-e-Nabwi and the teachings of the Holy Quran will be a part of the new curriculum, in addition to the constitutional framework of Pakistan, the vision of Quaid and Iqbal, national policies, and Sustainable Development Goals.