Punjab to Introduce Activity-Based Books for Primary Classes

Punjab has decided to overhaul the way primary-level students are taught, with authorities preparing to introduce activity-based textbooks for children up to grade five from the 2027 academic session. The move, reported from Lahore on Monday, August 17, is being presented as a major shift in classroom learning across the province.

According to education officials, the new books will be developed in line with a revised curriculum and are intended to move students away from a heavily memorisation-based style of learning. The focus will be on helping young learners understand concepts through classroom participation, practical exercises and guided activities.

Officials associated with PECTA said the preparation of the new textbooks has already begun. The system is expected to cover primary classes up to grade five, making it one of the broader early-years education reforms planned in Punjab’s public-sector schooling framework.

The official position is that the new approach will support children’s practical and creative abilities instead of limiting them to rote learning. Authorities believe that activity-based content can make lessons easier to understand and help students connect what they study with real-life situations.

The reform is significant because the early years of schooling shape a child’s reading habits, problem-solving ability and classroom confidence. A learning model based on activities can also encourage teachers to use discussion, observation, group work and simple experiments rather than relying only on textbook recitation.

Punjab’s education system has long faced criticism over uneven learning outcomes, overcrowded classrooms and exam-focused teaching methods. Many parents and teachers have argued that students often advance through grades without developing strong comprehension skills, especially in science, mathematics and language subjects.

For schools, the change may require more than simply replacing old books with new ones. Teachers will likely need orientation, lesson-planning support and classroom resources so that activity-based learning can be implemented consistently across urban and rural areas.

The decision could have a wider impact on millions of primary students in Punjab, particularly if the new curriculum succeeds in reducing learning pressure and improving basic understanding. It may also influence future textbook reforms in other provinces if Punjab’s model produces visible classroom improvements.

The next major step will be completing textbook development, aligning teacher training and preparing schools before the 2027 session begins. The success of the reform will depend on how well the province supports teachers, monitors implementation and ensures that the new system reaches students beyond major cities.