History will be compulsory for middle classes from next year

By Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: The new national curriculum of history for classes VI to VIII has chapters on religious tolerance and cultural syncretism to teach the young generation about the “soft image” of Muslim rulers of South Asia, Daily Times learnt on Wednesday.

The curriculum has been sent to the provinces for implementation from the academic year 2007 as a compulsory subject.

The main feature of the new curriculum is that it not only highlights the political developments during Muslim rule, but also gives due importance to the cultural and social aspects with special focus on the Sufi ethos and its spread.

In the new curriculum, the South Asian history has been divided into three parts: the ancient civilisation till the end of the Delhi Sultanate (2500 BC-1526 AD); the Mughal empire, its foundation, consolidation, contribution and disintegration (1526-1857); and British rule and the freedom movement (1858-1947). The first part will be taught in Grade VI, second in Grade VII and third in Grade VIII.

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