ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s education system risks widening disparities in learning standards unless the federal and provincial governments agree on a common core curriculum and allow schools sufficient time to prepare for its implementation, education experts have warned, proposing April 2028 as a target to complete the transition.
Former provincial education minister Mian Imran Masood, speaking at a media briefing on curriculum reforms, urged the federal government and provinces to adopt a coordinated approach, warning that separate curricula could create inconsistencies in educational standards and difficulties for students moving between provinces. He said the proposed timeline would give schools, textbook publishers and teachers adequate time to develop quality learning materials, undergo training and align teaching methods and assessment systems.
The call comes as curriculum reforms advance simultaneously at federal and provincial levels. The National Curriculum Council is seeking public feedback on the draft National Curriculum Framework 2026 and the proposed curriculum covering early childhood education through Grade 5. Punjab has approved a revised primary curriculum for implementation from the 2027 academic year, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued revised curricula for secondary and higher secondary classes.
Masood acknowledged that the 18th Constitutional Amendment devolved curriculum responsibilities to the provinces but said broad consistency had been maintained between 2010 and 2026. He emphasised that provincial autonomy need not prevent agreement on common foundational learning standards, particularly in subjects essential to students’ academic progress.
He said a curriculum shaped the entire education system, influencing learning outcomes, teacher preparation, classroom planning and examinations. He also highlighted Pakistan’s limited annual teaching time, estimated at approximately 140 to 145 days, compared with 192 to 220 days in several other countries, arguing that curriculum changes must account for the time available for classroom instruction.
Arshad Saeed, managing director of Oxford University Press Pakistan, welcomed the reform process but stressed that its success would depend on careful planning and cooperation between federal and provincial authorities.
He proposed a common core curriculum for English, Urdu, mathematics and science, with provinces retaining the flexibility to incorporate their distinct histories, geography and local contexts into social studies. Such an arrangement, he said, could maintain common academic standards while respecting regional differences.
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A shared framework could also reduce duplication in curriculum development and textbook production, helping publishers manage costs and potentially keeping learning materials affordable for families.
The speakers stressed that curriculum reform must be supported by a well-planned implementation process involving pilot teaching, textbook development and review, approval, printing, distribution and teacher training. They cautioned that a rushed rollout could leave schools inadequately prepared and undermine the intended improvements in learning outcomes.
They said extending the timeline until April 2028 would provide an opportunity to complete these stages systematically, consult education experts, identify implementation challenges and prepare teachers and students for revised academic requirements.
The briefing concluded with a call for sustained coordination among federal and provincial governments, curriculum bodies, publishers and education experts to ensure that reforms translate into measurable improvements in learning and more equitable educational opportunities for children across Pakistan.
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Pakistan’s curriculum reforms: From devolution to a common core
Pakistan’s curriculum reforms gained momentum after the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010 devolved education responsibilities to provinces. The National Curriculum Council was established in 2014, followed by the National Curriculum Framework in 2017 and the Single National Curriculum, later renamed the National Curriculum of Pakistan.
In 2026, consultations and revised curriculum initiatives continued, while Punjab approved a new curriculum for early childhood education through Grade V for 2027. However, differences in provincial approaches, teacher training and assessment remain challenges, strengthening calls for common standards in core subjects while preserving regional diversity.
