Author: Irfan Ghauri
Publication: Daily Times
Date: July 25, 2006
URL: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\07\25\story_25-7-2006_pg7_1
* Education minister unveils highlights of
Islamiat curricula
* Says revised national curriculum to be implemented from next year
Jihad is not being deleted from the new curriculum
because it is an integral part of Islamic teachings and Muslim beliefs, said
Education Minister Lt Gen (r) Javed Ashraf Qazi on Monday.
"Jihad has many dimensions which also
includes self-negation (Jihad bin nafas). We will teach students the full
concept of Jihad," Qazi said during a briefing on the draft of the new
curricula for classes 1 to XII. He said that Sura Al Anfal and other suras
over which certain western countries had reservations with regard to their
Jihad teachings, were still part of the Islamiat curriculum.
He said the new curricula will be implemented
in junior classes from the start of the academic year in 2007 and will be
introduced in all classes up to grade XII by 2009. The draft curricula has
been sent to the provinces for recommendations and will be finalised after
their proposals are considered, he added.
Qazi said the revised Islamiyat curriculum
has been divided into five topics: Al Quran Al Kareem (Quranic teachings),
Imaniyat aur Ibadaat (Haqooq Allah) (Rights of God), Seerat e Tayyaba (Life
of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Akhlaq aw Adaab (etiquette) (Haqooqul Ibad) and
prominent personalities of Islam. He said that Nazara Quran would start in
grade-III, leading up to completion of the Holy Quran by the end of grade-VIII.
The students will also memorise 19 small suras by the end of class-VIII. The
suras include Sura Ikhlas, Sura Nasar, Sura Fathihah and Sura Falaq. He added
that students would also memorise with simple translation 27 Quranic supplications
recited during prayers.
The education minister said that students
of grades IX and X would be taught 20 selected ayaats from Sura Baqara, Al
Nisa, Al Madina, Al Tauba and Al Haj with translation and interpretation.
He added that in grades XI and XII the students would be taught the entire
Sura Al Anfal and 39 selected ayaats from Sura Baqua with translation and
simple interpretation. He said that simple translation of 18 Hadith for grades
IX and X and 12 for grades XI and XII had been incorporated in the curricula.
Qazi said that monotheism, prophethood, faith
in angels and the revealed books had been included in the topic of Imaniyat
aur Ibadaat (faith and worship). He said that the basic pillars of Islam -
belief in one God, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and Zakat - are also covered
in this topic and added that the chapters also contained an introduction to
Jihad, its importance and forms in the light of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
He said that the topic on the life of Prophet Muhammad would also highlight
battles led by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to show his exemplary leadership and
tolerance towards his enemies..
In the topic of prominent personalities of
Islam, he said that the profiles of 28 personalities would be covered from
grades III to XII.
Qazi said that Pakistan studies would be compulsory
in grades IX and X while advanced Pakistan studies will be available as an
elective subject in grades XI and XII. The course for Pakistan studies for
grade IX and X will be derived from the revised history curriculum for grades
VI and VIII. He said that the courses had been designed to make the students
understand the objectives of the creation of Pakistan and also its ideology,
history, culture, geography and economics. He said the course covered major
historical, political and constitutional developments in Pakistan and the
salient features of various regimes.
Qazi said the geographical component of the
curriculum aims to enhance the understanding of the physical features and
human resources of the country. It will also promote an understanding of the
major environmental hazards and conservation strategies for water, land, vegetation
and wildlife, he added. The minister said a chapter has been added on "Pakistan
in world affairs" in the course to familiarise students with Pakistan's
international relations and the latest developments in world affairs with
particular reference to neighbouring countries, the Muslim world, major world
powers and the United Nations. Qazi said that changes have been made in natural
science curricula to make them relevant to modern day developments.
