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Punjab’s decision to revise the school curriculum has drawn sharp criticism from textbook publishers, who warn that the changes could lead to losses exceeding Rs. 2 billion and disrupt textbook availability for the upcoming academic year.
The government recently formed the Punjab Education, Curriculum, Training, and Assessments Authority (PECTAA) to modernize education by merging the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board, Quaid-i-Azam Academy for Educational Development, and the Punjab Examination Commission. A 16 member committee of senior bureaucrats will oversee reforms in curriculum, teacher training, and student assessments.
Publisher Concerns
The Urdu Bazaar Publishers Association, led by Khalid Pervaiz, criticized the government’s move, noting that thousands of printed textbooks would become obsolete.
“Replacing these textbooks will cost billions, and publishers were not consulted before this decision,” he said.
Government Response
Punjab School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat defended the reform, emphasizing that the changes are aimed at reducing unnecessary content and enhancing learning outcomes.
“We can change the curriculum to improve the future of children,” he stated.
The revised syllabus is scheduled to take effect in the 2026–27 academic year, with the government open to dialogue but firm on implementation.
