Commission on National Education, 1959

The Commission on National Education was appointed by a resolution adopted by the

government on 30"‘December, 1958. The main reason was that the existing system of education
was not adequate to meet the requirements of the nation. It was inaugurated by the President,
Mohammad Ayub Khan on January 5, 1959. Addressing on the occasion the President stressed
the need for a reorganization and re-orientation of the existing education system, which would
better reflect our spiritual, moral and cultural values and to meet the challenges of the growing
needs of the nation in the field of science and technology. The Commission analyzed all the
previous reports and the prevailing situations of the country and the reforms movements in other
societies and submitted and comprehensive report to the Government after one year 1960.
Commission on National Education, 1959 known as the Sharif Commission after its chairman S.M
Sharif.

Primary Education
At least eight years schooling was required. The Commission recommended achieving 5- year
compulsory schooling within the period of 10-years and 8-years compulsory schooling within a
total period 15 years.
A child functionally literate, to develop all aspects of his personality, to equip him with basic
knowledge and skills and to develop in him habits of industry, integrity and curiosity.
The curriculum should be adapted to the mental abilities of the children. It must be designed to
develop basic skills. Teaching methods should be activity-oriented.
School buildings and furniture should be simple, inexpensive, and clean and adapted to local style
and material.
Training facilities should be provided to teachers to meet the requirements of compulsory
primary education.
The Commission recommended that land, building, furniture, teaching materials and residential
accommodation for teachers should be provided by the community and the Government may
however, give financial assistance to the backward areas.

Secondary Education
Objectives of Secondary Education:
Secondary education should be recognized as a complete stage in itself and organized as a
separate academic and administrative unit,

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Secondary education should bring about the full development of the child (a) as an individual, (b)
as a citizen, (c) as a worker, and (d) as a patriot enable him to understand and enjoy the benefits
of social progress, scientific discovery and invention, and to participate in economically useful
activities.
Duration of Secondary school:
Secondary education should properly consist of classes IX to XII but until compulsory
education was extended to the first eight years classes VII to VIII should be considered a part of
secondary education. It will therefore, for the present be divided into three stages: classes VI to
VIII (middle) classes IX-X (secondary) and classes XI-XII (higher secondary Education).
Curriculum:
The curriculum at the secondary stage mustbe based on two principles. First, it must
provide a compulsory core of subjects such as mathematics, science, the national languages,
English etc. Secondly, it should provide opportunities for students to take up, in accordance with
their aptitudes and interests, a few elective subjects in the fields of technical agricultural and
commercial studies to prepare them for a definite vocational career.
Every child should acquire a preliminary understanding of some 10 to 12 subjects by the time has
completed high schools.
Evaluation and Examination:
The system of examination should be organized and the award of certificates based on
the performance of the students in the public examination conducted by the Universities/Boards
of secondary Education (75% of the total marks) School record, including the results of habits and
general behavior 25% for private candidates, separate examinations, called External
Examinations, should be held.

Organization:
The Commission maintained that regulation, control and development of education at
secondary and higher secondary levels (classes IX—XIl) should be entrusted to the boards of
Secondary Education.
Teacher Training:
The commission was of the view that teachers must be trained properly before entering teaching
profession. Teachers should be paid adequate salary. Teachers from class VI—X should work for
225 days during the year (excluding vacations).

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A program for Development:
Immediate target for developing one-half of the existing schools. Some of the schools should be
developed into better type schools. The value of schools of the residential type ‘should be
recognized and every encouragement given to their development.
Finance:
The cost of running a secondary school has risen 3 to 4 times during the last 30 years while
fees, grants, and private donations have remained practically the same. The income of a school:
1. Fees

2. The contribution of the management

3. The grant from government
The appropriate proportions would be approximately 60% from fees, 20% from the
management and 20% from government. Schools maintaining better standards in equipment and
staff should be regarded as "special schools" and their grants fixed on a separate basis.
Commercially Operated schools:
Every school should be registered and provided adequate facilities in respect of teachers,
buildings and equipment.

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