NCC established to reform education sector: Ahsan

Islamabad
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said the federal government established National Curriculum Council (NCC) to reform education sector and introduce standardised examination system in all over the country in the aftermath of devolving this subject to provinces under 18th constitutional amendment.
"We have earmarked Rs100 million for the NCC project under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) during the current fiscal year 2015-16," Federal Minister for Planning and Development Professor Ahsan Iqbal said while talking to The News here on Saturday.
He said the National Curriculum Council was establishment with complete consensus of three provinces but Sindh decided to become part of it as an observer in order to bring reforms in education sector and introduce standardised examination system.
He said the basic objective of the NCC was to create critical thinking among students and ensuring education mobility within the country and globally that would play a critical role for bringing innovative ideas here in Pakistan.
In a statement issued here after launching "ILM Pakistan" initiative at Higher Education Commission (HEC), the minister pledged making the country cradle of knowledge by synergising efforts in the fields of Education, Science & Technology and Information Technology.
ILM Pakistan initiative was launched with the theme "education can truly make us independent". He said the present government's political will for education is reflected from budgetary increase for higher education by raising it to Rs78 billion from Rs.43 billion in last two years. The government has also initiated project for development of a new curriculum based on critical thinking and problem solving skills, reform and standardisation of examination system in the country. A Rs10 billion National Endowment of Scholarships for Talent (NEST) fund has been established to support 50,000 merit based needy students for higher education.
He said that after China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, we have asked friendly countries having excellent and education structures to establish a knowledge corridor with Pakistan to help us meet our requirements in field of science and technology. We plan to produce 10,000 PhDs in the fields of Science & Technology in ten years to support our expansion plans in the field of higher education field.
He stressed the need for nurturing "questioning minds" among students by promoting culture of inquiry in our education system because it can only lead towards innovation. We need to embrace learning model enshrined in the Holy Quran based on observation, inquiry and reflection, which produced great scientists like Ibn e Sina, Al Khwarazmi, Ibn al Haytham and Ibn e Khaldoom. ILM Pakistan initiative will work for realisation of this objective.
He said that this year's independence day has assumed unique dimension with the launching of ILM Pakistan initiative. He said independence is not name of a piece of land but real independence comes with mastery in the fields of knowledge, intellect and innovation and ILM Pakistan has been launched to realise this goal by bringing knowledge at forefront of development agenda.
He said while we missed many opportunities in our 68 years history but our present status is by no means a failure. He recounted the achievements of country in various fields since independence when country was denied its share of resources. He, however, said still we have to go long way to realise the dream of our founding fathers.
He said infrastructure and resources are important for development but high self-esteem and positive thinking of nation are most critical in development process. He particularly emphasised that youth of the country should develop positive thinking and self-belief to achieve success and higher goals.
He stated, "world has entered into Knowledge Revolution age. We need to embrace knowledge as basic infrastructure in our development strategies and Vision-2025 is roadmap for realisation of these objectives. We need to harmonise ourselves with the challenges of Knowledge, economy and society".
He said ILM Pakistan initiative will focus at education, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and networks for collaboration.