The minister said the meeting remained fruitful and overall there was consensus amongst the participants about the uniform syllabus. The Education minister said a panel will shortly be constituted to examine the existing syllabus as well as the international systems. He said the ministry of education will also hold separate meetings with different segments of the society including the religious scholars in order to reach a complete consensus over the matter.
The minister said that in absence of uniform and quality syllabus, questions are being raised on the education system even after 70 years as even PhDs are jobless in the country. Further the literacy rate came down from 60 percent to 58 percent, which is a matter of great concern.
He further said that 20 million children are out of schools. He said no compromise will be made on the standard of education in the country and the syllabus will be crafted keeping in view the international standards. The aim of introducing a uniform curriculum is to end injustices and make a truly unified nation. The minister said that all the stakeholders will be taken on board to achieve a national consensus over this issue of vital importance.
The current multiple curricula-based education system in the country has led to create injustices and imbalances in the society, said Mehmood, adding that the elite class of the society prefers to send their children to English medium schools with manifolds extra expenditures while the middle and lower middle classes are unable to afford such costly education.
"Now it is high time to replace this trend altogether with a single certification system to evolve a national cohesion among all segments of the society," said the minister, adding that the incumbent government has been striving hard for a couple of months to introduce uniform syllabus across the country at the earliest.
While underlining the need for enhancing budget for the education sector, the minister said every child has to be enrolled in the school for the progress and prosperity of the country. The plan to bring the out of school children to education institutions will initially be launched in Islamabad as a pilot project, which would be expanded countrywide if it achieves the desired goals, he added.
The participants at the National Curriculum Council appreciated the government's initiative and said they will extend full cooperation on the formulation of a uniform syllabus. The participants gave suggestions for bringing improvement in the education system. Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas briefed the council about the steps being taken for uplifting the education sector in the province. He said Punjab province will shortly introduce teacher licensing on the pattern of lawyers and doctors in order to ensure quality education at public sector schools.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser on Education Ziaullah Khan Bangash said the provincial government has increased spending on education. The head of Federal Seminaries Organisation extended his full support to the government for the proposed uniform syllabus across the country, saying it would be a great achievement if government moves forward. "If government fulfils the uniform curriculum promise, a better education system would be introduced in the country," he added.