SNC | Single National Curriculum Overviews

Single National Curriculum (SNC)

Vision

One system of Education for all, in terms of curriculum, medium of instruction and a common platform of assessment so that all children have a fair and equal opportunity to receive high quality education. Single National Curriculum is a step in that direction.

Objectives

One system of Education for all, in terms of curriculum, medium of instruction and a common platform of assessment which will ensure:

All children have a fair and equal opportunity to receive high quality education
Social Cohesion and National Integration
Alleviation of disparities in education content across the multiple streams
Equal opportunities for upward social mobility
Equity in education
Holistic development of children in the light of emerging international trends and local aspirations
Smooth inter-provincial mobility of teachers and students

Key Considerations

The development of SNC is driven by the following key considerations:

- Teachings of Quran and Sunnah
- Vision of Quaid and Iqbal
- Constitutional framework
- National Policies, Aspirations and National Standards
- Alignment with the goals & targets of SDG-4
- Emerging international trends in teaching, learning & assessment
- Outcomes based approach
- Focus on Values, Life Skills Based and Inclusive Education
- Respect & appreciation for different cultures & Religions in local and global context
- Promotion of intellectual, spiritual, aesthetic, emotional, social and physical development of learners
- Move away from rote memorization & Focus on Project, Inquiry and Activity Based Learning
- Development of 21st century skills including Analytical, Critical and Creative Thinking.
- Use of Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
- Alignment with Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

Phases of Single National Curriculum

Single National Curriculum is being developed in three phases:

Phase I: Development of SNC and textbooks Pre I-V (March 2021)
Phase II: Development of SNC and textbooks VI-VIII (March 2022)
Phase III: Development of SNC and textbooks IX-XII (March 2023)

Development Process of SNC

Before initiating development of SNC, multiple Comparative studies were conducted to align SNC with international standards.
- These include analysis of Pakistani Curriculum with Singapore and Cambridge Curriculum
- Pakistan Learners’ Standards comparison with Singapore, Malaysia/Indonesia, & UK standards.
- All the findings were incorporated in the SNC.

Consultation with Stakeholders

All federating units
public sector
private sector
Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs) Cantts & Garrisons
Deeni Madaris
Cambridge University UK for English, Maths and Science
LUMS and AKU-IED

Workshops and National Conference

National workshops on Life-Skills Based Education, Critical Thinking and SDG-4
Four-Day Provincial and Area workshops in all federating units
The inputs and feedback received was incorporated in the SNC
Four-Day National Conference on Single National Curriculum from February 11-14, 2020 and the draft was finalized and signed by all the representatives from Federating Units, FGEIs, Private Sector, and Ittehad Tanzimat ul Madaris Pakistan.

Salient Features of SNC

The SNC is standards, benchmarks and outcomes based across all subjects as compared to the 2006 curriculum in which standards benchmarks and learning outcomes were not developed for each subject curriculum.
In 2006, the subject of Islamiat was integrated with General Knowledge up to grade 2 and started as a separate subject from Grade 3 onwards. In the SNC Islamiat starts from grade 1 as a separate subject up to grade 12.
Previously the subject of Ethics was designated for non-Muslim students in lieu of Islamiat from Grade 3 onwards. Now a new subject Religious Education has been introduced for non-Muslim students from grade 1 onwards for five minority groups of Pakistan.
The content of the SNC for Maths and Science has been aligned to the TIMSS content framework.
The content is aligned to the international commitments like SDG 4.
The SNC focusses on equipping learners with principles and attributes such as truthfulness, honesty, tolerance, respect, peaceful coexistence, environmental awareness & care, democracy, human rights, sustainable development, global citizenship, personal care and safety.
SNC focusses on development of analytical, critical and creative thinking through a more activities-based approach rather than static teacher centric learning.
Use of ICT is integrated in the curriculum for the first time.
The 2006 curriculum was implemented only in government schools and some low-cost private schools. The SNC will be implemented across the board in all schools of Pakistan including government and private schools and Deeni Madaris.

Subject-Wise Salient Features

Early Childhood Care and Education (Pre-I)

The ECCE curriculum has been revised keeping in view the local culture and environment alongside modern/innovative trends in ECCE and national & international commitments (SDG 4)
Basic learning areas include:

- personal and social development
- language & literacy
- basic mathematical concepts
- world around us
- physical development (newly added)
- health, hygiene & safety
- creative arts

Holistic development of a child through emphasis on knowledge, skills and positive attitude
Personality development through practice of patience, tolerance, empathy and citizenship.
Respecting diversity of gender, religion, colour, cast, creed and people with special needs.
Competencies on child security and safety and link to technology.
Integration of 21^st century skills
Guidelines for teachers, materials developers and administrators
Suggestions on ECCE materials, conducive environment and assessment

General Knowledge for Grade 1 – 3 (General Science and Social Studies)

Integration of basic concepts of Science and Social Studies to serve as a bridge between Grade Pre-I to Grade 4.
Fosters lifelong learning through development of inquiry and independent learning skills
Life-Skills including child protection
Includes activities for students to improve learning
Increased emphasis on positive attitudes for holistic development of students

English Grade 1 – 5

English to be taught as a language rather than subject
Higher focus than before on the communicative competence of the language (listening and speaking)
Addition of interactive and collaborative pedagogical strategies
Guidelines for assessment along with scoring rubrics/marking schemes have been included for all four language skills including listening and speaking which was not included in curriculum 2006
Many new themes added to guide the content development such as SDG-4, Gender Equality, LSBE and Inclusivity, Diversity of Cultures, Personal Safety, Health and Hygiene

Urdu Grade 1 – 5

Focus on development of language skills and competencies
Competencies of ‘speech’, ‘creative writing’ and ‘aesthetic sense’ have been added
Integration of themes like patriotism, citizenship, promotion of social cohesion
Creation of links between language learning and other subjects
Promotion of diversity of culture and languages especially regional languages of Pakistan
Understanding and application of critical media literacy

Islamiat Grade 1 – 5

Islamiat is now a separate subject from grade 1 onwards.
Curriculum was revised by both the representatives of the Federating units as well as representatives of Ittehad Tanzimat-e- Madaris Pakistan.
There were no competencies, standards and SLOs in the previous curriculum 2006. Now, these have been added in the SNC along with their definition.
Outcomes based and activity-based curriculum. From passive to active learning
According to “Compulsory Teaching of the Holy Quran Act 2017” the SLOs have been added
In addition to Nazra Quran, a framework for reading of 200 Ahadith from I-XII has been added
In addition to Hifz of Surahs, framework of hifz 40 Ahadith from I-VIII has been added
Addition of two strands; “Husn-e-Muamlat o Muashrat” and “Islami Taleemat aur Dour-e-Hazir ke Taqazay”
For primary classes, SLOs have been developed keeping in view higher order thinking
Instructions for teachers, textbook authors and assessment experts have been added

Mathematics Grade 1 – 5

Gradual progression in teaching approach from grade 1 – 5 – concrete – pictorial – abstract
Focus on developing solid conceptual foundation based on logical reasoning
Responds to SDG 4 goals such as communication, collaboration and independent learning.
Emphasis on linking Maths with real life situations through examples and number stories
Several suggested activities for each content area to promote learning
Integration of ICT through web links and students-based tasks
Alignment with Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) for the best teaching and assessment practices.

General Science Grade 4 – 5

Realignment in view of latest global trends and practices in Science education
Addition of Technology based content as separate chapters
- Integration of themes such as conservation, bio-ethics, scientific responsibilities & care for the environment and all living beings
Promotion of inquiry-based learning
Integration of ICT into the curriculum through web links and project work
Integration of STEAM as a cross cutting strand

Social Studies Grade 4 – 5

Organization of the curriculum in 6 strands including Citizenship, History, Government, Economics, Culture and Geography
Inclusion of national, global and digital citizenship education including rights and responsibilities
New themes include local government, ancient civilizations, agriculture, entrepreneurship, anti-corruption
Focus on democracy, patriotism and importance of rule of law
Holistic development of students through integration of peaceful coexistence, acceptance, respect and appreciation of diversity

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