SINGLE NATIONAL CURRICULUM AT SCHOOL LEVEL IN PAKISTAN: EXPECTED CHALLENGES, MERITS AND DEMERITS.

Abstract

Education is considered to be an important component in nation-building. In one system of education for all, in terms of curriculum, medium of instruction, and a common platform of assessment, all children have a fair and equal opportunity to receive a high-quality education. A Single National Curriculum is a step in that direction. One of the most significant benefits of having a unified national curriculum is the promotion of social equality. When it is fully implemented, all children will enjoy an equal and fair chance of receiving a good education. Education is considered a potent force that paves the way for any country's political, social, and economic development. A viable education system enables the nation to achieve its goals and is a key indicator of progress and prosperity. However, in Pakistan, the education system remains in shambles. Pakistan's recently introduced a Single National Curriculum for schools across the country, intending to unite the country's children under the umbrella of a single curriculum to promise uniform educational attainment. In 2018, when the ex-government of PTI assumed power, they promised a series of educational reforms that would improve outcomes across Pakistani schools and bridge the gap between private and public educational institutions. It was also thought that it would reduce the fragmentation and inequalities of Pakistan's school system and organize a modernized "uniform education system." It has been observed that the primary school dropout rate is 22.7%, which is very alarming. Pakistan is flawed by convoluted problems that influence and affect children's education. It is more convenient to assume than achieve that one curriculum can address all those intricate problems. The present study is descriptive, and it investigates the importance of SNC and its merits and demerits at the school level. A mixed-method approach was used for the development of the report. A semi-structured interview protocol was applied to know the experts' opinions concerning SNC. To collect data, 150 senior subject specialists and educational administrators were randomly selected to know their perceptions about SNC. An open-ended questionnaire was designed for inquiry about relevant research answers. Similarly, the outcomes of the research were explained descriptively on the basis of the acquired data.