ISLAMABAD, Oct 13 (APP): Former provincial Education Minister Mian Imran Masood has urged for coordinated planning to ensure quality textbooks, effective teacher training and improved learning outcomes across the country.
Speaking at a media briefing on curriculum reforms on Tuesday, he said a clearly defined implementation timeline would provide schools, teachers and publishers with sufficient time to prepare for the transition, develop quality learning materials and align teaching methodologies with assessment systems.
He suggested for the phased introduction of a common core curriculum by April 2028.
He added a common curriculum framework and shared learning standards would facilitate students, particularly those relocating from one province to another, while promoting greater consistency and comparability in educational standards nationwide.
Masood observed that despite the devolution of curriculum-related responsibilities to the provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, a broad degree of curricular consistency had been maintained between 2010 and 2026.
Highlighting the central role of curriculum in shaping educational outcomes, teacher preparedness and examination systems, he stressed that reforms should be introduced through careful planning, keeping in view the limited number of teaching days available during the academic year.
Managing Director Oxford University Press Pakistan Arshad Saeed welcomed the curriculum reform initiative and underscored the importance of a consultative approach and close coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
He proposed establishing a common core curriculum for English, Urdu, Mathematics and Science, while allowing provinces to incorporate their distinct histories, geography and local perspectives into social studies to reflect regional diversity.
Saeed said a shared curriculum framework could also help minimize duplication of educational resources, streamline textbook development and keep publication costs manageable.
The speakers stressed that sufficient time for pilot teaching, textbook preparation and teacher training would be essential to ensure a smooth transition to the revised curriculum and strengthen the quality of education for children across Pakistan.