Private schools are autonomous to use any textbook in conformity with Single national curriculum SNC.
Private schools free to use any textbook that was in conformity with SNC, clears Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood.
Mehmood also says that he agrees that academic year should start from August.
Education minister replied to quotes of followers on social media.
Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood told that the new academic year for schools will begin from August 2021.
The minister responded to a query on the Twitter. He said that, "Academic year for schools will start this year from August."
Continuing his answer Mehmood said that private schools are free to use any textbook that is in conformity with the Single National Curriculum (SNC) and has a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the provincial government.
A follower on twitter account suggested that the new academic year should start from August every year as students return with a blank mind after long summer holidays.
Shafqat Mehmood reply was, "I agree."
Then a follower insisted that the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) had refused to give NOCs. Also they are not collecting requests leaving schools' leaving management in a fix.
There Education minister responded that they cannot decide this unilaterally. We have given instructions that NOCs should be given expeditiously.
SNC to begin next academic year.
Pakistan will see the beginning of the SNC in the next academic year, which is due to begin in August 2021, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training had announced a day earlier.
According to the ministry, under the directives of Mehmood, the new year "would start now in August 2021 due to extension in examination dates to be held in May/June and also prolonged school closures in the academic year of 2020".
The SNC has been developed in consultation with area governments, said the ministry, adding that students of pre-1 to grade 5 will follow it.
It will come into effect across all public and private schools in the next academic year.
The ministry said that a letter was sent to all provincial and area governments regarding the Textbook Policy under the unified curriculum.