A revised syllabus for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) has been finalized by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

The new curricula for students of class one to five will put extra emphasis on civil conduct, ethical values, global citizenship, tolerance and more respect towards diversity.

The task was undertaken by a working group of curriculum specialists, education experts, government officials and teachers under the guidance of the Ministry of Education.

According to an official from the Ministry, the final draft of the new curricula has been sent for approval and it is expected that the ministry will approve and notify it by the end of June. Following the notification, the process of textbook preparation will begin and new books based on the revised syllabus will be published by the end of 2017.

Minister for Federal Education, Engr Balighur Rehman, has closely monitored the revision process during the past few months, added the ministry official.

Guidelines

The minister had also issued special instructions that the new syllabus should concentrate on the following values:

Ethical values

Civil conduct

Civic sense

Global citizenship

Environmental protection

Democratic culture

Energy conservation

National Harmony

Health and hygiene

Tolerance and respect for diversity

In an earlier statement, Balighur Rehman announced that the ministry was emphasizing on improving the quality of education and research in the country. The syllabus review project is a step in the same direction according to the minister.

The ministry utilized eight subject specialist committees, each comprising of 10 member, for curricula review and revision. Reviewed subject groups include:

ECCE (Pre-primary education)

Languages (Urdu and English)

General Science

General Knowledge

Social Studies

Mathematics

Islamic Studies

The Accelerated Learning Programme

Earlier in May, the minister had launched a Curriculum for Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) which was developed by the federal education ministry and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The ALP curriculum offers the equivalent of primary education (class one to five) to out-of-school children in about 3 years (32 months).

The program is mainly focused at children who have crossed the age of primary school and missed early years of education due to socio-economic issue or any other natural of physical challenges.