The Single National Curriculum debate in Pakistan

Daily Briefs

Photo : Dawn

23 June 2021, Wednesday I Vol 2, No. 172

The Single National Curriculum debate in Pakistan

The government argues that the SNC cure Pakistanâ€™s educational apartheid, however, experts, Educationist and others argues that it does more harm than good

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

On 22 June, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in a statement claimed that vested interests have begun a concerted campaign to discredit the government's effort to develop a single national curriculum (SNC) for countrywide schools. The ministry said, “The federal government’s approval process for Science textbooks does not involve any consultation with the Muttahida Ulema Board and so any claim that the Board has prohibited the inclusion of any diagrams or educational material from the biology textbooks is factually inaccurate." Further, the ministry claimed, "The Single National Curriculum is a historic initiative introduced to eliminate Pakistan’s long-standing class-based education system and create equal educational standards for all the students of Pakistan, regardless of race, class, gender, and any other arbitrary marker. It is being developed with expert input from all segments of society and is being designed in line with the pedagogical needs of the 21st century."

Ever since the PTI government introduced the SNC in 2019-2020 there has been an ongoing debate about the nature and scope of the curriculum. According to the government’s vision, the SNC is designed to bring all children on a level playing field while overcoming gaps in the currently followed National Curriculum 2006. The SNC was conceived as a ‘One System of Education for All,’ intended to introduce a uniform system “in terms of curriculum, medium of instruction and a common platform of assessment so that all children have a fair and equal opportunity to receive high quality education.” The curriculum is aimed at alleviating “disparities in education content across the multiple streams” and offer “equal opportunities” to all children to “receive higher education” and enable them “for upward social mobility.” Proponents of the curriculum state that most of the criticism of the SNC has come from a modernist backlash based on a misperceived notion of Islamisation. Although a heavier content of Islamiat it includes a move away from passive learning to activity-based learning so that children do not merely memorize but understand and relate their learning from Islamiat to their daily life.

Critics of the SNC on the other hand have argued that the curriculum is excessively religiously inclined, and have argued that a move such as this could potentially sabotage scientific thinking and impose rote learning and memorisation in schools. Others have dismissed the SNC as overly ambitious and have raised concerns over the challenge schools might face at the time of implementation. Additionally, questions related to the language of instruction, the redesigning of textbooks, potential problems that public schools could face related to the teaching methods and be at par with private schools, and implementational autonomy for private schools are some issues that have been brought out.

Pervez Hoodbhoy, a prominent critic of the curriculum states that the SNC massively prioritises ideology over education quality and acquisition of basic skills. He states that the push for a uniform national curriculum idea is based on three flawed assumptions: First, the false assumption that quality differences between Pakistan’s various education streams stem from pursuing different curricula. Second, the false belief that a hefty dose of piety will somehow equalise students of the upper and lower end institutions. Third, the false assumption that school systems belonging to the modern world can be brought onto the same page as madrassahs. He argues that Pakistan’s greatest need and its single greatest failure has been the failure to impart essential life skills to its citizens and thus, the priority should be to educate rather than score political points. Additionally, he states that the kind of mixed-up, confused and ignorant generations PTI’s curriculum changes will produce in times ahead is absolutely terrifying.

Others argue that the education ministry failed to recognise the discriminatory actions in the curriculum in line with t Article 22 (I) of the constitution, arguing that such plans will result in singling out minority students in front of other students and promote a sense of otherness. Further, another criticism stems from the fact that the SNC sets a bad precedent in terms of recentralising, on a de-facto basis, what is otherwise a provincial subject after the 18th Amendment of the constitution, arguing that this move contributes to the shrinking provincial policy space, and space for democracy and fundamental rights.

The debate on the SNC is likely expand further and increase the conflict between the federal government, provincial governments as well the civil society. However, what needs to be taken into account is that the future of Pakistan is at stake.

In Brief
INTERNAL
At least two killed, 14 injured in blast in Lahore
On 23 June, at least two were killed and 14 injured in a blast in Johar town in Lahore. Police said the injured include women, children, and a police officer. The blast took place in a residential area; more details are yet to be released and the nature of the blast is also not known. Further, the Lahore police chief said further investigations would reveal if the blast was targeted at some. (Imran Gabol, “At least 2 dead, 14 injured in blast at Lahore's Johar Town,” Dawn, 23 June 2021)

Imran khan fulfilling foreign ambitions on Pakistan’s nuclear programme, says PML-N
On 22 June, the PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal alleged that Imran Khan “was brought to power to fulfill the ‘foreign agenda’ of rolling back the nuclear programme.” Dawn quoted Ahsan, “Who has given the right to this prime minister to say that Pakistan’s nuclear programme is negotiable?” The development comes after Imran was interviewed by Jonathan Swan wherein the PM said that Pakistan’s nuclear programme aimed only at deterrence and that “It’s not an offensive thing.” This statement, Ahsan claimed, signalled that Pakistan was willing to negotiate its nuclear programme. (Amir Wasim, “PML-N sees nuclear programme in danger under Imran,” Dawn, 23 June 2021)

Senior PML-Q leader meets Asif Zardari
On 22 June, PML-Q’s Pervaiz Elahi, who is the Punjab Assembly Speaker, met with Asif Ali Zardari. A press release said that the two discussed national politics and other matters of mutual interest. However, speculations run high as PML-Q is currently PTI’s ally. Dawn reports that insiders believe the two sides will meet again and that PML-Q’s Chaudhry Shujaat will be present at the time. Dawn, referring to another source, reports that there could be snap polls by the year-end and therefore, the latest meeting may be focussed on “exploring possibilities of political cooperation in that scenario.” (Amjad Mahmood, “PTI ally Pervaiz Elahi meets Zardari in Lahore,” Dawn, 23 June 2021)

Government aims to dismantle parliamentary system through electoral reforms, says PML-N leader
On 22 June, PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi alleged that the PTI government proposed electoral reforms to replace the current parliamentary system with a presidential government. The Express Tribune quoted Abbasi, “The proposed reforms are intended to steal the future elections. All this is an attempt to abolish the parliamentary system and bring in a presidential one.” He added, “When our country broke up [in 1971], it was because of the presidential system...Stop stealing elections, everything will be fine.” (“Electoral reforms meant to steal elections: Abbasi,” The Express Tribune, 23 June 2021)

Discretion is the art of diplomacy, says opinion on Qureshi’s recent remarks in the media
On 22 June, Geo News asked Foreign Minister Qureshi why he and the PM refrained from calling Osama bin Laden a terrorist. Qureshi responded, “Osama Bin Laden is a thing of the past. I am not concerned with the past. You are lost in the past. My focus is on the future.” This is the second time Qureshi decided to let questions regarding Osama pass. (“Qureshi once more avoids calling OBL a terrorist,” The News International, 23 June 2021) An opinion in Dawn refers to Qureshi’s interview with TOLOnews wherein he refrained from labeling Osama a terrorist; the author opines that Qureshi’s mannerism reflected a “deliberate ambiguity on an issue that demands a clear answer” and that the “non-committal stance on a person responsible for thousands of deaths is damaging.” The author says, apart from Osama, other foreign policy issues have also been handled carelessly in the Minister’s interviews and reiterates that it is important to learn discretion as the art of diplomacy. He says that Pakistan must, therefore, focus on the art of diplomacy rather than pursue populist rhetorics. (Zahid Hussain, “Diplomatic blundering,” Dawn, 23 June 2021)

ENERGY
Sui Southern Gas halts supply to non-export industries
On 22 June, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) announced that it had ceased gas supply to non-export industries and had also cut down supply to captive power plants to 50 per cent, to ensure availability to residential consumers. The development indicates a looming crisis as gas production “fell by 4.3 per cent to 3,377mmcfd during June 9-15 as compared to 3,530mmcfd from June 2-8” across the country. (Aamir Shafaat Khan, “SSGC suspends gas supply to non-export industries,” Dawn, 23 June 2021)

ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Experts warn of mass migration due sea level rise
On 22 June, the Regional Program Manager Center for Mountain Development urged “Pakistan meteorological scientists to use data from sea-level observations and future projections for applications to coastal climate impact research and risk assessment.” He, along with the former Director General of the Pakistan Meteorological Department warned of mass migration from the coastal belt due to the sea level rise and related destruction of agricultural lands from the belt. (M Waqar Bhatti, “Climate challenges mount for Pakistan due to sea-level rise, warn experts,” The News International, 23 June 2021)

EXTERNAL
Ignoring Pakistan amid troop withdrawal from Afghanistan is disastrous, says US Senator
On 22 June, a Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham opined that ignoring Pakistan amid the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan could have dangerous impacts. This comes after it was learnt that President Biden had not contacted PM Khan; the Senator tweeted, “Stunning to hear that President Biden hasn’t reached out to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan regarding the US-Pakistan relationship and Afghanistan,” adding, “How do we expect our withdrawal from Afghanistan to be effective without coordinating with Pakistan? Clearly the Biden Administration believes that our problems in Afghanistan are behind us.” The revelation that Biden had not reached out to Imran was made by the latter in an interview to Jonathan Swan wherein he said, “Whenever he has time he can speak to me. At the moment, clearly, he has other priorities.” (Anwar Iqbal, “Biden’s reluctance in engaging Pakistan stunning, says US senator,” Dawn, 23 June 2021) (“No need for nuclear deterrents once Kashmir issue is resolved: PM Imran,” Dawn, 21 June 2021)

ON FATF
No justification to keep Pakistan on greylist any longer, says Qureshi
On 22 June, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan, under the PTI government, had complied with all 27 conditions of the FATF and therefore, the global watchdog could remove the country from the greylist. Qureshi accused the PML-N of not addressing money laundering and terrorism and thereby driving Pakistan to the greylist. The Express Tribune quoted him, “The gift of grey list was also given by the PML-N...Now there is no justification for keeping Pakistan into the grey list.” (“FATF has no more ground to keep Pakistan in grey list: FM,” The Express Tribune, 23 June 2021)

ON KASHMIR
Pakistan Ambassador urges UNHRC to probe into Kashmir
On 23 June, The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan had urged the UNHRC to hold India accountable for the alleged “human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).” Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, during the UNHRC’s 46th session, called on the council to issue its third report on the region. The Ambassador claimed that the Indian government had issued “Kashmiri citizenship to 3.5 million non-Kashmiris.” He said, “The occupation power continues to grab land, dole out mining leases to Indian businesses, and erect settler colonies,” and added, “The Hindutva Raj has muzzled the local judiciary, gagged the media and silenced the civil society through reprisal attacks.” (“IIOJK rights issue raised in Geneva,” The Express Tribune, 23 June 2021)

Daily Briefs

The Single National Curriculum debate in Pakistan

The government argues that the SNC cure Pakistanâ€™s educational apartheid, however, experts, Educationist and others argues that it does more harm than good

Other Daily Briefs