Govt soon announces uniform curriculum in educational systems: Shafqat Mehmood

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood on Wednesday said the federal government would soon announce a uniform curriculum for the whole country that would end the disparity between different educational systems in practice in the country.

while speaking at the concluding session of the three-day celebrations on Quaid-e-Azam’s 144th birthday organized by the Sindh Madressatul Islam University he “We are in the process of making curriculum for the children of the entire country, which will encompass everyone as children enrolled with government-run or privately-run schools.

He said the country was riddled with different systems of education, which was discriminatory for its children, which was why the government wanted to introduce the uniform curriculum.

“These different systems of education have divided the country’s philosophy; a uniform syllabus will end this condition.”He said the Tanzeemul Madaris had accepted his ministry’s suggestion, according to which children in its madressahs would be required to appear in matriculation and intermediate examinations.

The minister said the present turmoil in neighboring India regarding discrimination against the Indian Muslims had proved Quaid-e-Azam’s vision correct that he showed by getting a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India.

Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Universities and Boards and Pro-chancellor of SMIU, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, said he was elated to find himself speaking in the historical building of an educational institution where the Quaid had received his education in his formative years.

He said nowhere else in Pakistan the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam was being celebrated as it had been observed by the SMIU, which was a good tradition set by the university’s management.

“We are grateful to Quaid-e-Azam and Sindh because of whom this country came into being and we got independence. The resolution for Pakistan was adopted by the Sindh Assembly while Quaid-e-Azam was also born in Sindh,” he said.

He said the Sindh government had a special focus on higher education, which was evident from the fact that at present the number of universities in the province had grown to 35.

Former Chairman of Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said the Founder of Pakistan’s struggle was based on provincial autonomy, which he had also mentioned in his 14 Points.

“We want Pakistan, which was dreamed by Quaid-e-Azam. Media should be free and people should enjoy full freedom of expression, which is the essence of democracy,” said Mian Raza Rabbani.

He said every Pakistani should ensure that the state should be sovereign as it should not be negatively affected by the interferences from foreign forces. He said the freedom of media and other institutions of the state was being affected.

SMIU’s  Vice-Chancellor Muhammed Ali Shaikh said December 25 had great significance; it was a day that gives us the opportunity to analyze how far we have succeeded in achieving the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam.

He said eminent speakers who appeared in the conference for the past three days had spoken well and showed the path to the young generation on which they could achieve the destiny set by the Founder of Pakistan.

He said the Government of Sindh was focusing on the research in universities which was appreciable as that would produce policymakers in the future. He added all policies that the countries of the world implemented were devised by the university scholars.

He said universities’ role in achieving the objectives set by the Quaid was commendable. “We have to examine that how can we dedicate ourselves with the cause for Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan.”

He commended the eminent personalities who came to the university and helped its students to know about the principles of Quaid-e-Azam. Human rights leader IA Rehman said Mr Jinnah was a multifaceted personality and his achievements required to be repeated in various fields and institutions.

He said the Quaid was a great supporter of education, which was evident from the fact that he bequeathed his property to educational institutions after his death. Mr. Rehman said Mr. Jinnah had struggled for provincial autonomy, which was evident from all his lifelong struggle.

He said it was the responsibility of the parliament to ensure better law and order and protect every citizen in the country. He said equality and freedom should be understood to understand Quaid-e-Azam.

Awards and prizes were distributed among the students who won in various competitions. VC Dr. Muhammed Ali Shaikh presented shields to all guest speakers.