By Mehrab Shah Afridi
ISLAMABAD: Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s curriculum to equip students for contemporary challenges, while maintaining a firm grounding in national values and cultural heritage.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day national summit in Islamabad themed “New National Curriculum of Pakistan,” Dr Siddiqui underlined the importance of preparing learners to navigate emerging global realities, including technological advancement, economic shifts, and social change.
He said that education must not only impart knowledge but also cultivate critical thinking, adaptability, and a sense of responsibility aligned with Pakistan’s ideological and cultural foundations.
In his keynote address, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the integration of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) into the national curriculum, highlighting its potential to bridge the gap between formal education and labor market demands.
He argued that a curriculum aligned with skills development would better prepare students for employment and entrepreneurship, strengthening both the economy and social mobility. Discussions focused on curricular reforms, pedagogical innovation, and strategies to ensure that reforms are both inclusive and forward-looking.
Officials said the summit aimed to create a roadmap for a curriculum that balances modern competencies with national identity, preparing students to meet global challenges while fostering a shared sense of purpose and cultural continuity. Participants also discussed mechanisms for effective implementation, teacher training, and monitoring, signaling the government’s intent to pursue reforms with a structured and collaborative approach.
