The Punjab government has formally approved a new curriculum for students in government schools across the province. The reforms reduce the burden of textbooks and move students away from rote learning.
The decision was taken during a special education reforms meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA) gave a detailed briefing on the new curriculum.
The curriculum was reviewed for English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Urdu and Early Childhood Education.
The textbook burden on students will be reduced by 25 per cent under the revised system. The government also plans to promote modern teaching methods so that students focus more on understanding concepts instead of memorising lessons.
QR codes and AI education
Each textbook will include QR codes. Students will be able to scan these codes to watch video lessons related to the topic they are studying.
Maryam Nawaz also asked authorities to present an Artificial Intelligence curriculum covering Classes 1 to 12. She directed them to focus on setting up laboratories alongside AI education.
Punjab has already been developing an AI curriculum to introduce students to areas such as computing, data science, machine learning, robotics and responsible use of AI.
The chief minister also ordered officials to complete the printing of textbooks before March.
She said major attention should be given to primary schools so children can develop a strong educational foundation. According to the meeting, English language training has already been completed for 35,000 teachers across 31 tehsils in 12 districts.
Teacher training and student mental health
Punjab will also introduce mental health training for teachers for the first time. The government is considering appointing visiting faculty psychologists in every district and has directed officials to provide online counselling facilities for students.
The meeting also agreed to pursue legislation to eliminate corporal punishment in schools. Discipline corners in classrooms were discussed as an alternative approach to managing student behaviour.
One day each week will also be dedicated to teacher training across Punjab. The authors of the new textbooks will participate in training teachers about the material.
Maryam Nawaz said the government wants to develop a strong educational model in Punjab’s public schools. She added that resources are available, but their waste must be prevented.