APSACS synchronizes its 123 schools, colleges
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The working of all the 123 schools and colleges being run under the Army Public Schools and Colleges System (APSACS) have been synchronized in order to enhance the quality of education in the Army Public Schools & Colleges, an ISPR spokesman said on Sunday.
The spokesman said during the last one year, in an effort to bring the chain of schools and colleges under single administrative control, central Secretariat was established under the directive of the Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf.
The administration of APSACS during the last one year have strived to carry out various programs including Curriculum Development and Planning, Teachers Training, and improvement in the systems of Evaluation, Assessment and Examination, besides added emphasis on Computer studies.
All these activities have been carried out not only to synchronize the operations of the educational institutions but also to enhance their educational standards so as to enable the graduating children to compete at the international level.
He said that all efforts are being made to impart quality education to over 1,090,00 students in all Army Public Schools, over 60% of whom are the children of civilians.
Giving details about the program, he said for the first time a scientific system of evaluation up to level III has been introduced replacing the age old examination system.
As far as the devising of curriculum is concerned, he said a universal curriculum aimed at developing skills to the students cope with international standards is being introduced and implemented.
Curriculum Development and Planning Department after meticulous research and deliberation devised a centralized curriculum and provided weekly syllabus to be informally followed in APSAC all over the country so as to ensure that children do not suffer a loss when they shift from one school/college to another.
Environmental studies and Community Service have also been introduced in place of social studies at Primary and Junior level respectively to inculcate among the students appreciation and value of Nature’s Bounties and Dignity of Labor and respect for humanity. This has been specially designed to infuse Islamic values amongst the children, right from very young age.
Exam system up to class 3 has been abolished & continuous assessment will be the criteria of judgment of the students’ performance in these classes.
In the sector of Teachers and Principal/Heads training a master program has been introduced to equip the faculty with the modern teaching techniques mainly based on friendly approach towards imparting education to the students.
A training program has also been launched targeting Head Masters, Trainers and Teachers. The main objective is to groom teachers as capable, committed and competent individuals who are able to do justice to the sacred job they have chosen. During last one year a number of workshops have been organized in more than 120 schools with very encouraging response from the teachers and positive results.
The assessment and Examination Department is responsible for providing policy and procedures for the conduct of Assessments and Examination. The ten regions of the APSACS have been grouped into the ‘ Cold Regions’ and Warm Regions’ on the basis of their locations and their vacations. Final Examination in all Regions will be held simultaneously. He said that a Crisis Management Program has been started by the Assessments and Examination Section with the aim of creating awareness to counter emergency.
He said the Research and Computer section has also been given due weight-age whereby the students would be inculcated the habit to carry out research through using modern tools like computers and books.