Pakistan: English language learning from class 1

[Harold F. Schiffman]

ISLAMABAD, May 26 (SANA): A two-day National Education Conference is being
held from May 30 to 31 for framing a new Education Policy aimed at
bringing uniformity in the education system of the country.

This was stated by Federal Education Minister (Retd) Lt. General Javed
Ashraf Qazi at a briefing here Friday. He said the proposed ten year
Education Policy will bring uniformity in the education system of the
country. It will focus on enhancing the literacy rate and improving the
standard of education in the country which is imperative for overall
development. A new curriculum is being introduced from class 1 to 12 to
meet the future challenges in the emerging era of science and technology.

He said the examination system is also being revamped so that the true
intelligence of the students would be judged. He said it has been decided
to hold composite examination of 9th and 10th class from 2007 in Punjab,
NWFP and Balochistan and new academic year will be started from September
1 this year throughout the country. He said it has also been decided that
English Language learning would be included from Class One to acquire the
latest knowledge in various fields.  Urdu Language will also be taught in
English Medium Schools as a compulsory subject.

Islamiyat subjects will be taught from class-3rd with the addition of
another chapter of Haqooq-al-Abad. The subject will be compulsory up to
twelve class level. He said other subjects such as Computer Science,
History, Geography and Pakistan Studies will be included in class 6th, 7th
and 8th class and the number of subjects was reduced from 46 to 21. He
said Pakistan Studies and Islamabad will be mandatory subjects in 9th and
10th class. The government has already made education free up to
Matriculation level to ensure maximum enrolment in the educational
institutions. He said emphasis will be given to promote education level
and in this connection a number of reforms are being introduced through
High Education Commission.

Under the new reform programme, the government is emphasizing to promote
technical education and in this connection vocational and poly technical
institutions are being set up at District level to produce skilled
manpower to meet the future requirements at home and abroad. The Minister
rejected the criticism of some circles about the deletion of Quranic
verses from Islamiyat. Regarding the next Education Budget, Javed Ashraf
Qazi said that the Ministry has proposed to enhance the Education Budget
to 4 percent of the GDP. He said under the directives of the President
Laboratories, drinking water, electricity and other facilities will be
provided in all schools in rural areas as well as in the urban areas of
the country.

Regarding Non-Formal Education, the Minister said that Basic Education
Authority for Non-formal schools have been set up. He said Education
census has been completed and it will be announced at the end of next
month. To a question regarding syllabus of Deeni Madaris, he said
Mathematic and science subjects will be taught in these institutions. He
said that he has recommended to the Finance Ministry that all Primary
teachers should be placed in Grade 9. They should also be given teaching
allowance and their Grades be linked with their Education. The Education
Ministry has also recommended increase in the salaries of the teachers. To
another question the Minister said that no teacher will go to USA for
training and now all the courses are being held in Pakistan.

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