The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has launched a new Character Education Curriculum aimed at the holistic moral, social, and psychological development of children across the province. Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi formally inaugurated the initiative, describing it as a foundational step toward building a values-driven and culturally grounded future generation.
The curriculum will be introduced initially in primary schools in Lower Chitral from March 1 and will be gradually expanded to other districts. Designed for students from grades one to five, it will be implemented across public schools, private educational institutions, and Madaris, ensuring a unified approach to character building in early education.
According to details shared at the launch ceremony, the syllabus places strong emphasis on the Seerah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Islamic teachings, local cultural and Pashtun traditions, as well as ethical, social, and psychological education. The objective, the chief minister said, is to nurture civic sense, moral responsibility, and cultural awareness among children from an early age.
Chief Minister Afridi noted that in an era dominated by digital influences and globalized content, preserving cultural and traditional values has become increasingly important. He warned that without deliberate educational interventions, future generations risk losing their identity. He stressed that Pakistan’s progress depends on cultivating national self-respect rather than uncritically imitating Western models, and that education must play a central role in this process.
He also underscored the importance of inclusive policymaking, stating that decisions taken without consultation often prove harmful, while policies shaped through collective wisdom and stakeholder engagement deliver more sustainable results.
Linking education reform to broader national challenges, Afridi attributed the country’s ongoing economic difficulties, including low GDP growth and rising unemployment, to flawed policies of the past. He asserted that lasting national development requires a clear, values-based direction rooted in strong education systems and character building.
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The provincial government views the Character Education Curriculum as a long-term investment in social cohesion, ethical leadership, and national resilience, with plans to monitor its impact before scaling it province-wide.
