National Education Policy Framework 2018
Introduction: The framework was formally launched by Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood in a ceremony held in Islamabad. The Honorable Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training on Tuesday at 27th November, 2018 launched the National Education Policy Framework 2018 under the government’s first 100-day plan. At that event by signing the admission documents, Minister of Federal Education enrolled six (06) out of school students of the Federal Capital into the different schools of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) near their residences.
Key Areas: The education ministry in its framework has identified four key areas it shall be focusing on: improving the quality of education, enrollment of out of school children, introducing a uniform education system, and skill development of the youth. Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood, has said that enrollment of 25 million out of school children, provision of quality education, skill development, and uniformed syllabus will be the four pillars of the national education policy.
Education Systems: Currently, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood said, there are three kinds of educational systems existing in the country: madressah system, public school system and English-medium or private school system. Under the new education policy, a uniform education system will be introduced with a uniform syllabus “to bring unity among the nation”.
Improvements in Education System: Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood also laid emphasis on the government’s efforts in bringing improvements to the quality of education, adding that a market-oriented education would be provided to students so that they can find jobs easily. In the same vein, the minister underlined the need for skills development saying that it was the only way for the socioeconomic development of the country. He said that the country faces a shortfall of middle schools due to which students are unable to continue their studies after having completed primary education. To counter this, middle-school classes will be held following primary school class timings so that the need for middle schools can be met, he explained. To tackle the growing need for teachers, the government also plans on launching a Smart Schools System under which online lectures will be delivered in schools facing a lack of teaching staff, said Minister Shafqat Mahmood. Smart classrooms will be established in every school of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), he said adding that the use of technology was the need of the hour.
Enrollment of All Out of School Children: The Honorable Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood also launched an out of school children campaign in the federal capital. By signing the admission documents, he enrolled six students of the federal capital into schools established near their residences. The education minister said that the government will also increase the number of non-formal schools to achieve the task of maximum enrollment.
Future Strategies: Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Shafqat Mehmood said smart schools will be introduced with the help of technology to overcome shortage of teachers. He said education volunteers programme will also be launched soon. The Honorable Minister said that teachers’ training programme will be started and the National Skill University will also be established in Islamabad.