{
  "id": 9584847,
  "title": "Lighter books with QR codes for montessori to grade-5 students in Punjab from April 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/lighter-books-with-qr-codes-for-montessori-to-grade-5-students-in-9584847",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T16:20:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2032370/lighter-books-with-qr-codes-for-montessori-to-grade-5-students-in-punjab-from-april-2027"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In April 2027, Punjab will introduce a new curriculum for students from Montessori to Grade 5, according to an official speaking to Dawn. The revised curriculum aims to reduce textbook burden and shift away from rote learning. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam approved the curriculum during a meeting in Lahore, where curricula for various subjects were reviewed.\n\nPunjab Education Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (Pectaa) CEO Musa Ali Bukhari revealed that Pectaa developed the ECCE to Grade 5 curriculum, which was assessed by Cambridge International Education (CIE). CIE will provide the final content of the curriculum in December 2026, after which textbooks will be printed in January 2027. The new books will be lighter, with 25% fewer pages, and include QR codes to access video lessons. The curriculum emphasizes improving learning outcomes over memorization, and Cambridge officials will train teachers for the new syllabus.\n\nDuring the meeting, CM Maryam directed officials to finalize an artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum for grades 1-12 and stressed the development of computer laboratories. Mental health training for teachers and appointment of visiting psychologists in every district were also agreed upon. The meeting endorsed a legislation against corporal punishment in schools and proposed the establishment of \"discipline corners\" in classrooms as an alternative to physical punishment. CM Maryam emphasized the lifelong impact of physical violence in schools and called for constructive disciplinary measures.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: Books under a new curriculum for montessori to grade 5 would be available for the new academic session beginning in April 2027, an official told Dawn on Thursday. Authorities say that the revised curriculum will reduce the burden of textbooks and would steer a shift away from rote learning. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam gave her approval for the new curriculum while chairing a meeting in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Lighter books with QR codes for montessori to grade-5 students in Punjab from April 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/lighter-books-with-qr-codes-for-montessori-to-grade-5-students-in",
        "published": "2026-09-24T16:20:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}