The Punjab government has caused a stir by banning a history book written by a foreign author for O-level students. The School Education Department issued a notice banning the O-level history textbook titled “The History and Culture of Pakistan” by Nigel Kelly. Punjab’s Minister for School Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, and several other government officials confirmed this decision to local media.
The notification, which was originally issued in May of the previous year, has been reissued on June 13 to reinforce the ban. The Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board in Lahore is responsible for enforcing this ban. However, officials have not provided any reasons for why the book has been prohibited.
The ban has sparked concerns among students and parents, who are questioning the decision and seeking clarity on the matter. Many are wondering why a widely-used textbook has suddenly been deemed unsuitable for students.
This situation has created a significant amount of confusion and debate within the educational community. Parents and students are anxious about what this means for their studies and future exams. Educators are also caught in the middle, trying to understand the implications of the ban and how to adjust their teaching materials accordingly.
The reissued notification emphasizes the government’s intention to ensure that schools comply with the ban. Schools are now required to remove the book from their curriculum and replace it with approved alternatives. This sudden change poses challenges for teachers who must quickly adapt their lesson plans and for students who need to adjust to new study materials.
