Curriculum Overhaul Needed to Address Creativity and Critical Thinking Deficit, Says Prof Iqbal

The education sector in Pakistan is facing an unprecedented crisis, with millions of children out of school, substandard literacy levels, and an education system that has failed to prepare the next generation for the demands of the 21st century. As Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal has been addressing these challenges, outlining a visiThe education sector in Pakistan is facing an unprecedented crisis, with millions of children out of school, substandard literacy levels, and an education system that has failed to prepare the next generation for the demands of the 21st century. As Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal has been addressing these challenges, outlining a vision that emphasizes quality education as the foundation for national development and global competitiveness. His insights offer a roadmap for transforming Pakistan's education sector, underlining the necessity for urgent reforms, investments, and innovations.

During a the meeting of the Prime Minister’s Educational Task Force, Prof Ahsan Iqbal shared grim statistics that underscore the scale of the challenge. The most striking figure from the 2023 census reveals that 25 million children in Pakistan remain out of school. Additionally, the national literacy rate is approximately 60%, far below the 90% threshold required for sustainable development. These numbers, Prof Iqbal emphasized, are not merely alarming—they are frightening.

“No nation that has achieved universal primary enrollment has failed to develop,” said Prof Iqbal, underscoring the correlation between education and national progress. Without addressing these core issues, Pakistan will struggle to participate meaningfully in the global knowledge economy, where creativity, innovation, and human capital drive success.

Prof Iqbal advocates for an all-encompassing approach to educational reform, noting that piecemeal efforts are insufficient.

The education system needs comprehensive changes in three critical areas: curriculum, teacher training, and the examination system.on that emphasizes quality education as the foundation for national development and global competitiveness. His insights offer a roadmap for transforming Pakistan's education sector, underlining the necessity for urgent reforms, investments, and innovations.

During a the meeting of the Prime Minister’s Educational Task Force, Prof Ahsan Iqbal shared grim statistics that underscore the scale of the challenge. The most striking figure from the 2023 census reveals that 25 million children in Pakistan remain out of school. Additionally, the national literacy rate is approximately 60%, far below the 90% threshold required for sustainable development. These numbers, Prof Iqbal emphasized, are not merely alarming—they are frightening.

“No nation that has achieved universal primary enrollment has failed to develop,” said Prof Iqbal, underscoring the correlation between education and national progress. Without addressing these core issues, Pakistan will struggle to participate meaningfully in the global knowledge economy, where creativity, innovation, and human capital drive success.

Prof Iqbal advocates for an all-encompassing approach to educational reform, noting that piecemeal efforts are insufficient.

The education system needs comprehensive changes in three critical areas: curriculum, teacher training, and the examination system.

1. Curriculum Reform: The current curriculum, heavily reliant on rote memorization, does not equip students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Prof Iqbal calls for a curriculum that fosters creativity, innovation, and teamwork—skills that are essential for a future shaped by technological advancements. He has directed the Ministry of Education to organize a National Curriculum Summit, involving both public and private sector experts, to align Pakistan’s curriculum with global best practices.
2. Teacher Training: A robust curriculum is meaningless without effective teachers. Prof Iqbal highlighted the importance of establishing a state-of-the-art teacher training center in Islamabad, a project that has been stalled since 2016. The goal is to create a benchmark for teacher training that can be replicated nationwide, ensuring that educators are equipped with modern pedagogical techniques.
3. Examination System Reform: The existing examination system is a barrier to progress, as it rewards memorization over critical analysis. Prof Iqbal insists that the examination system must be reformed to reflect the new curriculum, ensuring that students are tested on their ability to think critically and solve problems, rather than simply recall information.

Planning Minister pointed out that Pakistan’s public schools lag behind in providing digital education, an essential component of modern learning. The digital divide between urban and rural areas is growing, with most public schools lacking up-to-date computer labs or access to the internet. He referenced efforts made during the tenure of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Punjab, where computer labs were established in schools. However, those facilities are now outdated, and many have closed down.

“The world has moved to digital education, but our schools are stuck in the past,” Prof Iqbal lamented. He emphasized the need for digital literacy, arguing that every child in Pakistan has the right to quality computer-based education. This will require significant investment in technology infrastructure and teacher training in digital skills.

For the first time, the Ministry of Planning released a District-Level Education Index Report, which revealed shocking disparities in education standards across Pakistan. While national averages may mask these differences, the disaggregated data shows that certain districts and provinces are far behind others in terms of educational outcomes.

"These disparities are a wake-up call,” Iqbal said, urging provincial governments to take ownership of the crisis.

Since education was devolved to the provinces in 2010, there has been little to no improvement, and in some cases, performance has worsened. Prof Iqbal called for a renewed focus on governance, stressing that simply increasing financial allocations will not solve the problem without accountability and effective management.

Pakistan’s population growth, which was slowing until 2017, has started to accelerate again, further complicating efforts to expand educational access. With a growth rate of 2.55%, Pakistan is among the 30 highest population growth countries globally, comparable to Sub-Saharan Africa.

“This growth is a crisis that compounds every other challenge we face, including education,” Iqbal warned. He emphasized the need for better population management, linking it directly to the success of the education sector.

Without controlling population growth, the resources required for education and other social services will remain insufficient.

Given the constraints on public resources, Iqbal advocates for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors. The role of private schools and universities in expanding educational access is vital, and the government must find ways to synergize efforts. Public-private partnerships can help bridge gaps in funding, infrastructure, and innovation.

However, he cautioned that governance remains key. Even in provinces like Sindh, which allocate significant public resources to education, outcomes remain poor due to weak governance. “It’s not just about money,” Iqbal emphasized, “it’s about how we manage those resources.”

Pakistan's tertiary education rate, at just 13%, lags behind neighboring countries like India (30%) and Bangladesh (25%), while China boasts a tertiary education rate of 60%. Prof Iqbal stressed that higher education is critical for Pakistan’s economic competitiveness. Equally important is vocational training, which can equip youth with the skills needed for employment in industries that do not require a university degree.

Vocational education is particularly crucial given that not all students will pursue higher education. Iqbal called for reforms that align vocational training programs with market needs, ensuring that students gain skills that are in demand in the labor market.

The challenges facing Pakistan’s education sector are immense, but not insurmountable. Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s vision offers a clear path forward, focusing on comprehensive reform in curriculum, teacher training, examinations, and digital education. He emphasizes the need for governance reforms, investment in human capital, and leveraging public-private partnerships to improve outcomes.

Education, as Prof Iqbal reminds us, is not just about literacy rates or school enrollments; it is the foundation upon which national development and global competitiveness are built. As Pakistan approaches its 100th year of independence in 2047, it must prioritize education if it hopes to compete on the world stage.

“The race is on,” Prof Iqbal cautioned, “and the next five years are critical. We must act now.”