The long-awaited education policy 2009 has been finalised and would be submitted in the next cabinet meeting for approval. The policy has been finalised after due consultation with the stakeholders and it would cover all the areas, an official of the ministry told APP.
Earlier, the policy was submitted in cabinet in April 08 but the approval was postponed to make it more effective by incorporating the suggestions of provincial governments.
Now, the suggestions of all chief ministers have been included to make the policy strong enough to face the challenges and needs of the new generation, the official said. Encouraging Urdu language as a medium of communication to enhance national integrity is the hallmark of the upcoming policy.
While the policy will also highlight the importance of local languages, he said. New and innovative curriculum will be included to enhance capabilities of students. Compulsory teaching of English language will be there from class one.
The document will stress more on improving the educational standards in rural areas. Moreover, the policy will be focused on reducing gender gap in education.
The government is committed to bring the public schools at par with private schools and colleges and ensure uniform education system. The government is also reviewing parallel education systems in the country and will take a decision in this regard in 2010.
In the policy, the government commits that the provinces and area governments will affirm the goal of achieving universal and free primary education by 2015 and up to class 10 by 2025. The government will commit to allocating 7 percent of GDP to education by 2015.
It further says that the government will explore ways to increase the contribution of the private sector, which at present contributes only 16 percent of the total educational resources.
And a system of checks and balances for the private sector will be formed to oversee the issues of fee, school standards, salary of teachers, conduct and hygiene.
The provincial and area education departments will have the choice to select the medium of instruction up to class V. and primary education official age will be six to ten years. The students of Madrassahs will be brought at par with the students of formal public secondary schools through the introduction of formal subjects. For 5 years, provinces will have the option to teach mathematics and science in English or Urdu/official regional language, but after five years the teaching of these subjects will be in English only.
International Development Partners will be invited through a well-developed plan for expanding school facilities. According to the policy, high priority will be paid to reducing the dropout rates. An important element of this effort should be to provide financial and food support to children who drop out because of poverty. Food based incentives will be introduced to increase enrolment and improve retention and completion rates, especially for girls.
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