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HEC policy & rationalization of BS curriculum

17 0
20.07.2025

ALTHOUGH curriculum development is an ongoing process that is always changing, this does not mean that new experiments can be conducted every spring when the leaves begin to sprout.

After much consideration, a curriculum change must be made; hastily created and applied policies remain ineffective. Even though the policies’ planners and proposers are undeniably honest and primarily take socio-cultural factors into account, the long-term consequences and, more importantly, the administrative risks and expenses may be overlooked. As a result, the strain on the institutions continues to increase. The currently implemented BS programs in Pakistani universities, governed by Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) Undergraduate Education Policy 2023 are heavily burdened with non-core subjects placed in the rubric of General Education Cluster. These are 30 credit hours extended to 34 after HEC’s sanctioning of Pakistan Studies and Understanding of the Holy Quran as compulsory courses.

The burden of credit hours may be rationalized through systematic consolidation of courses. ‘Pakistan Studies’ and ‘Ideology and Constitution of Pakistan’ should be combined; as their thematic overlap leads to an unjustified 4-credit hours. Giving the universities a study plan to be included in Pakistan Studies under........

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