Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, announced government’s plan to establish State-of-the-Art Teachers Training Center within the next two years. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of education in Pakistan and develop a workforce equipped with skills to meet modern-day demands.
Speaking at the launch of the District Education Performance Index-2023, Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government initially proposed this project during its previous tenure. However, it faced delays due to political instability. The new center, set to be the best in South Asia, will collaborate with provincial education departments to offer a curriculum focused on critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
“This marks a significant shift from the traditional memorization-based education system,” Ahsan Iqbal stated, highlighting that the initiative will also reform the existing examination framework. He underscored that in today’s era, where innovation and creativity drive progress, rote learning has become obsolete.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of improving education standards and human resource development to achieve national progress and prosperity. “Infrastructure development alone is not sufficient,” he said.
The minister further cited global examples, noting that no country has achieved development and prosperity without attaining at least a 90% literacy rate. He emphasized that achieving universal primary enrollment is crucial for development.
In addition to the educational challenges, Ahsan Iqbal pointed out issues like the lack of an export-led economy and ongoing political instability as significant barriers to progress. “Our socio-economic platform is fractured, which is why we remain classified among low-middle-income countries,” he remarked, underscoring the need for economic and social alignment to drive national development.
Reflecting on past efforts, Ahsan Iqbal recounted the PML-N government’s initiatives, including the Vision-2010 in 1998 and Vision-2025 in 2013, which aimed to position Pakistan among the world’s leading economies. Unfortunately, these initiatives were derailed by political instability.
Impact on Examination System
The establishment of the state-of-the-art Teachers Training Center will have a significant impact on the examination system in Pakistan. The center aims to move away from the traditional memorization-based approach, which has long dominated the education system. Instead, it will promote a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
This shift in educational focus will necessitate a comprehensive reform of the current examination system. The new system will likely incorporate assessments that evaluate students’ understanding, analytical skills, and ability to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios rather than simply testing their ability to recall information. By aligning the examination system with modern educational goals, the initiative will help produce graduates who are better equipped to meet contemporary challenges and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
