Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday approved a new school curriculum aimed at reducing textbook volume, discouraging rote learning, and introducing modern educational reforms across the province.
According to a spokesperson, the decision was made during a meeting chaired by the chief minister, which reviewed updated curricula for English, mathematics, social studies, Urdu, and early childhood education. Under the new framework, textbook volume will be reduced by 25 percent, while QR codes will be embedded to provide students with digital access to video lessons.
Addressing the meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to finalize details for an artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum spanning from Class-I to Class-XII, stressing that proper computer laboratories must be developed alongside it. She also ordered that textbook printing be completed before March to ensure timely distribution.
To support student well-being, the administration agreed to launch mental health training for teachers for the first time in Punjab and considered appointing visiting faculty psychologists across all districts. Furthermore, the meeting agreed in principle to enact legislation banning corporal punishment in schools, introducing “discipline corners” as a positive alternative.
“An episode of physical violence can have a lifelong impact on a child,” the chief minister remarked, emphasizing the need for constructive disciplinary measures. She added that there is no shortage of resources, but wastage must be curbed, with primary education prioritized to build stronger academic foundations.
Under the updated schedule, Saturdays will be dedicated to teacher training sessions across the province, to be conducted by the authors of the new textbooks. The meeting was also informed that English-language training has already been completed for 35,000 teachers across 31 tehsils in 12 districts.