‘Zero exceptions’, Murad Raas warns Aitchison for not implementing SNC

The Punjab Government warned Aitchison College, a school for boys in Lahore, via a letter on Tuesday for not implementing Single National Curriculum (SNC) within its campus.

In a tweet, Education Minister Punjab Murad Raas, while sharing the official letter stated, “Letter sent to Aitchison College Lahore for not implementing SNC in its entirety by Punjab Curriculum Textbook Board. Zero exemptions. I will not let anyone challenge the writ of the government.”

Letter sent to Aitchison College Lahore for NOT implementing Single National Curriculum in its entirety by Punjab Curriculum Textbook Board. Zero exemptions. I will not let anyone challenge the writ of the government. pic.twitter.com/lKVdWOSQy5

— Murad Raas (@MuradRaasMR) September 7, 2021

The letter was issued to Aitchison College Principal Michael A Thomson by the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) stating, “You are again requested/advised to kindly do not prescribe those books which have not been given Non-Objection Certificate (NOCs) by PCTB.”

Furthermore the letter reads “It is to apprise you that the PCTB reviews and issues NOCs to the books after due process not on the request of an educational institution (school/college), but on the request of book developer (person/agency/private publisher) who apply for the same.”

Parents at Aitchison told Dawn that the administration had implemented the SNC from Tuesday. Science, Islamiat and history books were introduced in Urdu.

Prior to this notice, Federal Minister Education Shafqat Mahmood also said that there would be no exemption for Aitchison College or any other school.

There is no exemption for Aitchison college or any other school https://t.co/p1AEGRnFoq

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) August 14, 2021

Aitchison College Principal Mr Thomson hasn’t commented on this issue yet. Earlier, when an official questioned him about it, he replied that the school did not fall within the department’s purview.

What is SNC?

It is a ‘uniform system of education, which means the same curriculum for everyone but has been highly controversial because of the content and images in the books approved for the curriculum. Sindh has decided not to implement the curriculum since education is a provincial issue.

According to the new curriculum, Schools will be free to teach additional material or even additional subjects.  In the beginning, three subjects — Islamic Studies, Social Studies and General Knowledge will be taught in the Urdu language at the primary level (Grade 1-5). Quranic learning with translation will also be mandatory in Grade 6-12.

Mehmood had earlier announced the SNC would be implemented from the new academic session on August 2 in all public and private schools as well as madrassah of Punjab.