Awareness session on education system held

Rawalpindi:An awareness session was held here on Tuesday at Women University Rawalpindi, Sixth Road, under the auspices of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) and Punjab's Cantab Publishers, regarding the transition of exams in Punjab to a conceptual examination model.

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikander Hayat graced the event as the chief guest. The session was attended by Chairman BISE Rawalpindi Muhammad Adnan, Chairman Lahore Board Mian Zahid, Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Secretary Higher Education Dr. Farrukh Naveed, Vice-Chancellor Women University Rawalpindi, CEO Education Rawalpindi Amanullah Khan, Controller of Examinations Rawalpindi Board Tanveer Asghar, Professor Shazia Naeem, Dr. Naeem, vice-chancellors of other universities and, teachers, and a large number of distinguished guests.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed emphasised the importance of proper education and training for students to guide them in the right direction. Professor Shazia Naeem stated that Pakistani children are not lacking in talent; however, instead of turning them into rote learners, we need to equip them to face new technologies through conceptual learning. Dr. Naeem highlighted that there is no shortage of opportunities in Pakistan. While governments create policies, their implementation often lags behind.

He stressed the vital role of teachers, as they bear the significant responsibility of educating and training students. Without proper training for teachers, students cannot be guided effectively. He further added that the education system needs to transition matriculation to O-level and intermediate to A-level standards, emphasising the need for changes in examinations. Teachers are tasked with shaping the nation, and the curriculum is the core of any institution.

Dr. Naeem stated that we need children equipped with modern technology and able to benefit from it. The current education system must change, as it does not prepare children for self-reliance. This is the era of computers, where robots have started to take over many tasks. He also referenced Lord Macaulay's examination methods, where questions were based on critical thinking, contrasting them with the lack of such practices in current education.

Despite having a comprehensive National Education Policy, implementation is hindered by the monopoly of the textbook board. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Education Minister Sikander Hayat are seriously working on introducing conceptual exams for students and have established a task force for this purpose. Conceptual learning, they believe, will enable children to compete in modern technology.

The Education Minister announced that the government is launching a teacher training program and highlighted the need for practical learning. He stated that school and college heads will be empowered and all issues in the education department will be resolved within the next three months. Collaboration with Google is also underway to transform the system. Only education, he said, can produce good citizens and good human beings.