Responsibilities of Boards of Secondary (BISE) and National Bureau of Curriculum (NBC)

Write down  the responsibilities of  Boards of Secondary (BISE) and  National Bureau of Curriculum (NBC) 

Course: Educational Leadership and Management

Course Code 8605

Level: B.Ed Solved Assignment

ANSWER

Boards of Secondary and Intermediate Education

Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (IIISEs) and universities are the examining bodies. The following certificates/diplomas/degrees are awarded after the completion of a certain level of education: Secondary School Certificate (after 10 years of walking); Higher Secondary School Certificate (after 12 years of schooling); Bachelor's degree (after 14 years of schooling); and Master's degree (after 16 years schooling). Universities confer M.Phil and PhD degrees on the candidates who complete certain requirements of the concerned level of studies. These certificates/degrees are awarded after completion of the general stream.

There is a public examination system in the country. Some boards and universities are following the conventional system of awarding certificates and degrees based on Third division (33-44%); second division (45-59%); and First division % and above).

Some boards and universities have introduced grades as A (70% and above);  B (60  -69%); C (50-59%); D (40-49%); E (33% to 39%); and F (Fail-Below 33 %). At the same time, there are institutions in the private sector preparing the students for ‘O’ level and level examinations of the British Education System. Accreditation of higher education is determined by the University Grants Commission, Ministry of Education; Higher Education Commission (Accreditation and equivalence of school education (secondary and higher secondary level) is determined by Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), an autonomous organization in the Ministry Education.

National Bureau of Curriculum and Textbook

The first formal exercise in curriculum development was undertaken as a result of the Report of the Commission on National Education 1959.  The Commission analyzed the situation about curriculum development and reforms and made useful commendations. Under the recommendations of the Commission, the Ministry appointed two Curriculum  Committees for Primary and Secondary Education in 1960.

In the mid-sixties, the new concept of integrated and modernized science courses was introduced. This effort was initially confined to science education but was later carried on into other subject areas. It was a significant contribution made by a group of scientists and curriculum specialists that they had succeeded in preparing the people mentally for change.

Curriculum development was never visualized as a distinct and specialized function. The entire curriculum activity was done through committees which were created for a specific purpose at a specific time and were dissolved as soon as the task was over. No permanent committee network was set up to advise and evaluate the curriculum development and implementation.  It is in this context, that the need to create the  National Bureau of Curriculum and Textbooks (NBCT) at the Federal level was felt for coordinating the activities of various committees and centres. Similar organizations at the provincial level were also established. The existing Curriculum Wing of the Ministry of  Education is, in fact, a developed form of the National Bureau of Curriculum and Textbooks.

After the promulgation of the 1973 Constitution the Curriculum, Syllabi,  PlanningPolicy, Centres, of Excellence, Standards of Education and Islamic Education were placed on the Concurrent Legislative List of the Federal Government. This was a  significant departure from the previous position when education was an entirely provincial subject.

Whenever it is intended to frame or revise a curriculum, the Curriculum Wing of the Ministry of Education sends the proposals to the provincial curriculum bureau/centres. These bureaus/centres develop or revise the curriculum in light of the framework provided by the Curriculum Wing of the Ministry of Education. In the provincial centres, the revision or framing of the curriculum is done by the committees.  These committees comprise subject specialists and persons equipped with pedagogical skills. The draft curriculum is sent to the Curriculum Wing for their consideration and approval. In the Curriculum Wing, the draft curriculum on each subject received from provincial bureaus/centres is put up to the concerned National Review Committee.  This committee is usually constituted for each subject and comprises the nominees of the provincial governments and subject specialists considered suitable for the purpose. The curriculum finalized by the National Review Committee is then put up to the Federal Education Secretary for approval. The approved curriculum is sent to the  Provincial  Textbook Boards for the production of textbooks.

The Curriculum Wing works in close collaboration with the provincial curriculum bureau/centres, the education departments, the Textbook Boards, the Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education and other research organizations such as Institutes of Education and Research in the provinces.  In fact, the Curriculum Centres in the provinces are associated centres of the Curriculum Wing of the Federal Ministry of Education. Curriculum Wing also works in close collaboration with other international agencies. This wing is also an associated centre of UNESCO’s Asian Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID), Bangkok. This facilitates the flow of information not only between these two agencies but also with other foreign agencies through UNESCO. This wing participates in curriculum development activities of other countries tinder various bilateral educational and cultural agreements.