ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood said that academic year for schools will start this year from August.

According to details, in a tweet minister for education Shafqat Mehmood said that private schools are free to use any text book that is in conformity with Single National Curriculum and has NOC from provincial government.

Earlier the education ministry issued a letter to all provincial governments regarding single national curriculum textbook policy on Wednesday and also allowed private publishers to develop these textbooks aligned with student learning objectives.

According to the Ministry, private publishers in this regard, need to acquire NOC by Textbook Boards of their respective areas to enable the Boards to check any inclusion of anti-Pakistan, anti-religion or any other hate material.

The ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training also advised all provincial Textbook Boards to exercise due diligence to ensure that private publishers producing textbooks in line with the objectives and contents of the single national curriculum.

The ministry has also apprised the concerned authorities that new academic session would start now in August this year due to extension in examination dates that are scheduled to be held May or June due to prolonged school closures.

It is noteworthy that Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, in consultation with provincial governments and all other stakeholders, has developed Single National Curriculum from pre-1 to grade 5 which shall be followed by all public and private schools across the country from next academic year. NNI