Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, has called for extensive reforms in Pakistan’s education sector to align with the demands of the 21st century. He made this appeal during a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in Islamabad today.
Addressing the critical issues surrounding the outdated curriculum, the Minister underscored the necessity for a modern, forward-thinking approach to ensure the educational system meets contemporary needs. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the education sector must implement all necessary reforms without delay.
He highlighted the significant concerns of parents regarding the outdated and disconnected curriculum from the real-world demands of modern Pakistan. The Minister referenced the Vision 2025 initiative, which originally proposed four key areas of reform: curriculum revision, teacher training, overhaul of the examination system, and madrassah reforms.
Ahsan Iqbal pointed out that the current curriculum fails to align with the realistic needs of today’s Pakistan. He shared his vision of equipping madrassahs with basic science education to grant them high school or secondary school equivalence. He stressed that no country can achieve long-term success without a literacy rate of at least 90%. He urged investment in the education system to ensure a prosperous future for all Pakistanis.
Highlighting the alarming number of out-of-school children, the Minister called for immediate action to address these gaps. He stated that the current state of the education system is a crisis demanding urgent intervention. “We have over 26 million children out of school, and our literacy rate stands at a troubling 61%. This is not just a statistic; it represents a significant barrier to our nation’s progress,” he said.
Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mohyeddin Wani, briefed the Minister on the progress of several fast-track educational reform initiatives, highlighting significant advancements aimed at modernizing and enhancing Pakistan’s education system over the last year.
During the briefing, it was announced that the new Financial Literacy curriculum, developed with the expertise of industry leaders, is set to launch on Monday. This curriculum is a key part of the government’s commitment to equipping students with essential financial skills for the 21st century. Additionally, the Ministry of Education is actively working on curricula for Entrepreneurship, Coding, Artificial Intelligence, and Climate Change. These programs are designed to address emerging global trends and prepare students for future challenges and opportunities.
Another major development is the end-to-end encryption of the Federal Board exam system. This enhancement aims to ensure digital transparency and efficiency in the examination process, reflecting the Ministry’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of the educational assessment system.
The Minister praised these advancements as critical steps towards improving the quality and relevance of education in Pakistan. He said these initiatives represent a significant leap forward in efforts to modernize the education system and prepare students for a rapidly evolving world.
