Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has formally approved a new school curriculum aimed at reducing students’ textbook burden and moving the education system away from traditional rote learning.
The decision was taken during a special meeting on education reforms in Lahore, where officials presented the new curriculum prepared by the Punjab Education Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA).
The revised curriculum covers key subjects including English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Urdu and Early Childhood Education. According to officials, the number of textbooks will be reduced by 25 percent under the new system.
The curriculum is designed to make learning more manageable for students while encouraging greater understanding of concepts rather than relying heavily on memorisation.
QR Codes to Provide Video Lessons
As part of the new approach, textbooks will include QR codes that students can scan to access video lessons related to different topics.
The digital content is intended to provide students with additional learning resources alongside their printed textbooks and support a more technology-focused education system.
The move comes as the Punjab government seeks to expand the use of digital tools in schools and introduce modern teaching methods.
During the meeting, Maryam Nawaz also directed officials to prepare an Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum for students from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
Officials were further instructed to ensure that the printing of the new textbooks is completed before March, allowing schools to receive the revised books ahead of the relevant academic cycle.
Teacher Training and Mental Health Support
The meeting also focused on improving teachers’ skills and student well-being.
The Punjab government approved mental health training for teachers, with the aim of helping educators better understand and respond to students’ psychological and emotional needs.
A proposal to appoint visiting psychologists in every district was also reviewed. Officials additionally discussed introducing online counselling facilities that would allow students to access psychological support through digital platforms.
The government also reached a consensus on legislation aimed at eliminating corporal punishment in schools.
The proposed measures form part of the broader education reforms being considered by the Punjab government to improve the school environment and strengthen support available to both students and teachers.
Saturdays Reserved for Teacher Training
Under the new arrangements, Saturdays will be designated for teacher training.
Textbook authors are expected to conduct training sessions for teachers so educators can become familiar with the content and teaching approaches introduced through the revised curriculum.
The training is intended to help teachers effectively implement the new syllabus and make use of the additional digital resources incorporated into the textbooks.
The government has also highlighted the importance of strengthening teachers’ digital and language skills as part of its wider education reform agenda.
Greater Focus on AI and Digital Learning
Maryam Nawaz said the Punjab government wants to establish an improved education model in public schools with greater emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, digital literacy, laboratory facilities and primary education.
The inclusion of AI education from Grade 1 through Grade 12 represents another step in the province’s plan to introduce technology-related learning at different stages of schooling.
The government is also focusing on improving English-language skills among teachers. Officials informed the meeting that English-language training for 35,000 teachers across 31 tehsils in 12 districts has already been completed.
The latest curriculum reforms combine changes to textbooks with teacher training, digital learning resources, student mental health support and efforts to address corporal punishment.
By reducing the number of textbooks by 25 percent and adding QR-linked video lessons, the Punjab government aims to make classroom learning more accessible while giving students additional digital resources.
The implementation of the revised syllabus, AI curriculum and associated teacher-training measures will determine how these reforms are applied across Punjab’s public schools.
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