The first ever “E-Learning” website with complete text of curriculum has been inaugurated by the Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. www.elearning.punjab.gov.pk contains text and supporting tutorials, animations and simulations for better learning. This online facility was inaugurated last week by the CM at Arfa Karim Software Technology Park. For the first time ever in Pakistan, the complete content of textbooks is being made freely available to the students.
But so far the web portal contains only the content on natural sciences and is available only for English-medium students. Experts have shown concerns over preferring job-oriented subjects while ignoring arts and social sciences. Deficiency of Urdu medium books on the web indicates officials’ confusion over the selection of medium of education for schools. Government’s failure to give due importance to Urdu and resolve the issue of Urdu-English dichotomy highlights its inefficiency to formulate and implement policies on permanent basis.
However generally educationists have appreciated this step and further emphasized on modernizing the content and the methods of teaching. According to experts most of the students choose science subjects for the prospects of a more rewarding career, but many of them fail to understand the concepts and develop a scientific way of thinking. They rather concentrate on merely improving their grades.
Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics have been added in the content list for the students of 9th and 10th grade. The CM has however announced plans to add the contents of all textbooks in future.
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