ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, in collaboration with the National Heritage and Culture Division, has launched the Heritage Education Initiative in institutions working under the Federal Directorate of Education to promote cultural awareness and strengthen students’ connection with Pakistan’s diverse heritage.
According to the ministry, the initiative is aimed at bringing heritage-based learning into the educational experience of students from Classes VI to VIII through practical engagement, creative exploration and experiential learning.
In its pilot phase, the programme will be introduced in 10 public schools under the Federal Directorate of Education. Each selected school will set up a Heritage Club comprising 20 to 30 students.
The initiative has been designed to support the existing curriculum and will not add any new subject, examination or graded assignment. Instead, students will be given opportunities to learn about Pakistan’s cultural traditions through hands-on activities, research, observation and creative expression.
The programme will cover six traditional and contemporary craft areas: truck art, patchwork, jewellery making, clay pottery, rabab and digital art. Through these art forms, students will explore the skills, traditions and cultural narratives that have contributed to Pakistan’s identity over generations.
The six-month pilot will follow a structured learning process based on discovery, experience, creation and showcase. It will conclude with a student-curated exhibition, where participants will present their work, demonstrate what they have learned and share their understanding of Pakistan’s cultural heritage with the wider community.
The initiative will be implemented through a phased roadmap. The first phase will focus on piloting the programme and establishing proof of concept. The second phase will deal with consolidation and expansion, while the third phase will seek to institutionalise the initiative and ensure its long-term sustainability within the education system.
The ministry said the Heritage Education Initiative reflects its commitment to holistic education beyond conventional classroom instruction. By encouraging students to observe, question, investigate and reinterpret cultural traditions, rather than only memorising historical facts, the programme aims to promote creativity, critical thinking, cultural appreciation and a shared sense of national identity.
Through Heritage Clubs, students will engage with both tangible and intangible aspects of Pakistan’s heritage. They will also be encouraged to recognise the value of traditional knowledge and craftsmanship and explore ways to preserve and reinterpret these traditions in contemporary contexts.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and the National Heritage and Culture Division highlights the importance of linking cultural preservation with educational development. The initiative is also expected to strengthen intergenerational connections by introducing younger learners to traditional artistic practices and the cultural knowledge of local communities.
The ministry envisages that the pilot phase will offer useful insights into programme implementation, student participation and learning outcomes. These insights will help guide future expansion and support the development of a sustainable framework for heritage education across federal educational institutions.
By taking heritage into classrooms through practical and student-centred learning experiences, the initiative seeks to nurture a generation that understands its cultural roots, values Pakistan’s diverse traditions and recognises its responsibility to protect this legacy for future generations.
Know Your Heritage, Preserve Your Heritage.
