National Curriculum for

MUSLIM
HISTORY
Grades IX – X
2010

GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
ISLAMABAD
National Curriculum for English Language Grades I-XII, 2006
 National Curriculum for
Muslim History
Grade IX-X

2010

GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
ISLAMABAD
 Table of Contents

Section 1: Introduction ....................................................................................... 1

Aims and Objectives .................................................................................. 2

Section 2: Student Learning Outcomes ............................................................ 3

Section 3: Instructional Strategies .................................................................. 14

Effective Lecturing Strategy ..................................................................... 15
Discussion ................................................................................................ 16
Cooperative Learning ............................................................................... 17
Inquiry/Investigation ................................................................................. 18

Section 4: Assessment..................................................................................... 20
Selected Response .................................................................................. 21
Constructed Response ............................................................................. 23

Section 5: Guideline for Developing Teaching Learning Resources ........... 26

Guideline for Writing a Textbook .............................................................. 27
Guideline of Teacher’s Guide ................................................................... 27
Guideline for Writing a Workbook............................................................. 28
Other Educational Resources .................................................................. 29

Section 6: Curriculum Development Team ..................................................... 27

 Section 1
Introduction
In the educational discourse of Pakistan the significance of the Muslim
History has so far been under-stated and under-emphasized. At best that
discipline is an accumulation of the accounts of some political events and
the biographical sketches of the prominent personalities. Thus the
curriculum of Muslim History is conspicuously marred with dry facts
pertaining to the rulers and the battles with no analytical content what so
ever. Therefore, the discipline of History in general and Muslim History in
particular lost its popularity among the students at all levels.

Cognizant of waning interest and the acute indifference on the part of

the students with respect to the Muslim History, the Curriculum Wing of
Ministry of Education, took a worth while initiative to revise the
curriculum. It was starkly devoid of any analytical content, reducing the
curriculum of Muslim History into merely a chronology of events. In view
of the dire strait that the Muslim History was consigned to, the initiative
taken by the Curriculum Wing was not only crucial in an academic sense
but also given the contemporary challenges encountered by the Muslim
World it could not be more timely.

Hence, to make Muslim history more relevant for the students of 9th and
10th classes, academics from all over Pakistan worked assiduously hard
for a number of days in different meetings. Every aspect of the discipline
was microscopically examined, scrutinized and meticulously sifted before
making it a part of the curriculum. Enough care was taken to make the
course multi-faceted so that it does not just look like a political history,
having no reflection of the cultural and social dimensions. Various issues
such as the status of women, slaves and the interaction with non-Muslim
communities also have found niche in the curriculum. All said and done,
the present curriculum encompasses along with politics, economy,
society, state institutions and cultural advancement.

National Curriculum for Muslim History 2010 — Introduction

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 For 9th and 10th classes, the dawn of Islam, the life of Holy Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH), Khilafat-i-Rashida, the Umayyad Dynasty form the
essential part of the curriculum. It is duly rigorous. However, care has
been taken that it does not become inaccessible for the students.

Aims and Objectives

The main aims of this curriculum are to:

• Acquaint the students with the dawn of Islam and the life of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Khalifat-i-Rashida and
Umayyad Caliphate.

• Familiarize the youth with the evolution of Muslim state and

society and its salient features.

• Explain cultural and intellectual advancement of the Muslims.

• Examine as to how Muslims responded to the challenges posed to

them during early phase of the Islamic State.

• Familiarize the students with the causes behind the end of

Khilafat-i-Rashida and the downfall of Umayyads.

National Curriculum for Muslim History 2010 — Introduction

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 Section 2
Student Learning Outcomes

Chapter I: Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at Mecca

Contents Student Learning Outcomes
1. Conditions of Arabian peninsula at Students will be able to:
the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad - Discuss the geographical, social,
(PBUH) economic, political and religious
conditions of Arabian peninsula at
the birth of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH).
2. Early Life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) - Describe briefly the early life of the
Holy Prophet (PBUH).
3. Advent of Islam - Elucidate the message and method
of preaching of Islam during first
three years.
4. Declaration of the Prophethood and - Explain the strategy of preaching
Response of the Society Islam openly in Mecca and
response of the Quraish leaders.
5. Migration to Abyssinia - Discuss briefly early sufferings of
the companions of the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) leading to their
migration of Abyssinia.
6. Sh’ib-i-Abi Talib/Social Boycott - Explain briefly the sufferings of the
companions of the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) with special reference to
social boycott in Sh’ib-i-Abi Talib.
7. Migration to Madina - Examine the factors leading to
migration of the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) to Medina.

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 Chapter II: Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at Medina
Contents Student Learning Outcomes
1. Conditions of Medina (Yasrib) Students will be able to:
- Describe the conditions of Medina
at the time of Holy Prophet’s
(PBUH) arrival.
2. Effects and Consequences of - Describe the impact of Holy
Migration Prophet’s (PBUH) migration to
Medina.

- Elucidate the establishment of

Islamic brotherhood between
Ansars and Muhajireen in the wake
of Migration to Medina.
3. Charter of Medina - State the significance of the Charter
of Medina as a written constitution
of an Islamic state.

- Discuss the salient feature of the

Charter of Medina.
4. Ghazvat – Badr, Uhud and Khandaq - Describe the causes, events and
consequences of the battles of
Badr, Uhud and Khandaq.
5. Peace Treaty of Hudaibiyya and its - Discuss the terms and conditions of
effects the Treaty of Hudaibiyya and its
consequences.
6. Letters to Various Rulers - Describe the contents of Holy
Prophet’s (PBUH) letters to rulers of
different empires and countries and
their response.
7. Relations with Jews and Conquest of - Discuss the nature of relations of
Khyber the Muslims with the Jews in
Medina.
8. Conquest of Mecca - Discuss the spread of Islam after
the conquest of Makkah.
9. State of Medina and Spread of Islam - Give the salient features of the
State of Madina.
10. Administrative institutions, Women, - Discuss the position of women and
Slavery slaves in the state of Medina.

- Analyse the role of the battles of

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 Tabuk and Hunain in strengthening
the Muslims politically.
11. Holy Prophet’s Last Sermon (Khutba - Discuss the Holy Prophet’s(PBUH)
Hijatulwida) – First Charter of Human last Sermon (Khutba Hijatulwida) as
Rights the Charter of Human Rights.
12. Holy Prophet (PBUH) – Character - Discuss the character and
And Personality personality of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH).

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 Chapter III: Khilafat-i-Rashida - Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique and Hazrat
Umar Farooq
Contents Student Learning Outcomes
1. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique: Students will be able to:

 Hazrat Abu Bakr’s early life - Briefly narrate the life sketch of
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique with
 His association with Holy reference to his name, tribal
Prophet association and personal traits.

 Ascendancy to Caliphate - Describe the hardships faced by

Hazrat Abu Bakr along with Holy
 Challenges posed to the Muslim Prophet (PBUH) during the early
phase of Islam.
 State and Hazrat Abu Bakr’s
strategies to overcome them - Discuss the circumstances in
which Hazrat Abu Bakr assumed
 The overview of Hazrat Abu the responsibility of Caliphate.
Bakr’s rule.
- Delineate the challenges posed to
the Muslim State on the
assumption of caliphate by Hazrat
Abu Bakr Siddique.

- Take account of the measures

adopted by Hazrat Abu Bakr to
meet the challenges.

- Wrtie an overview of Hazrat Abu

Bakr’s policies as the first Caliph of
Islam.

- Elucidate his initial response to

the newly established religion.
2. Hazrat Umar Farooq:

 Hazrat Umar’s early life and his - Discuss Hazrat Umar Farooq’s
response to Holy Prophet’s early life.
(PBUH) call to Islam

 His embracing Islam and its - Highlight the benefits that

Impact accrued to Islam and Muslims

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 immediately following Hazrat
Umar’s embracing Islam.

 Ascendancy to Caliphate - Shed light on Hazrat Umar’s

assumption of Caliphate.
 System of Administration
- Describe at length the important
 Sources of Revenue features of Hazrat Umar’s system
of Administration.
 Expansion of the Islamic State.
Hazrat Umar as an exemplary - Discuss the sources of Revenue
ruler during the reign of Hazrat Umar.

 An overview of his Rule - Give a brief description of the

important battles fought during
Hazrat Umar’s reign.

- Describe the important areas

included into the Islamic State
during Hazrat Umar’s period.

- Give analytical account of Hazrat

Umar’s character and capabilities
that made him an exemplary
ruler.

- Give an overview of Hazrat Umar

Farooq’s Caliphate.

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 Chapter IV: Khilfat-i-Rashida – Hazrat Usman and Hazrat Ali
Contents Student Learning Outcomes
1. Hazrat Usman Ghani Students will be able to:
 Early life, tribal association, - Give Hazrat Usman Ghani’s life
 relationship with Holy Prophet. sketch, highlighting his
 Assumption of Caliphate after relationship with the Holy
Hazrat Umar Farooq Prophet(PBUH) and his overall
 Expansion of Islamic State status in his tribe.
 Insurgency, Chaos and Hazrat - Discuss his achievements and
Usman Ghani’s martyrdom. services for the Muslims and Islam.
 An overview of Hazrat Usman’s - Describe the expansion of Islamic
Caliphate. State during Hazrat Usman’s rule.
- Highlight the effects of the
territorial expansion of Islamic
State under Hazrat Usman.
- Discuss the causes of insurgency,
chaos, and martyrdom of Hazrat
Usman.
2. Hazrat Ali Murtaza - Describe Hazrat Ali early life
 Early Life, his relationship with underlining his close relationship
the Holy Prophet (PBUH), first with the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
child who embraced Islam - Discuss different aspects of Hazrat
 Hazrat Ali’s role in different Ali’s personality particularly as a
battles valiant soldier in different battles.
 Ascendency to Caliphate - State the circumstances under
 Worsening of the situation which Hazrat Ali assumed the
 Allegations against Hazrat responsibility of Caliphate.
Usman - Discuss the dynamics of the
 Dissenting factions: Syrians, worsening circumstances giving
Kharjis, Battle of Nehrawan rise to disorder and dissensions
 Battle of Jaml among the Muslims.
 Battle of Siffeen - Shed light on the emergence of such
 An overview of Hazrat Ali’s groups like Kharjis and Syrians.
Caliphate. - Give a brief description of the Battle
of Jaml and its impact on the future
course of Muslim History.
- Discuss the battles of Siffin and
Nehrawan and their impact.
- Give analytical account of Hazrat
Ali’s Caliphate.
- Describe achievements of Hazrat
Ali as Caliph.

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Chapter V: Khilafat –i-Rashida - State and Society
Contents Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.  Emergence of Islamic State: - Explain the state and society of
Challenges and Responses. Madina immediately following the
demise of the Holy Prophet
 The consolidation of Islamic State Muhammad (PBUH).
and institutions, i.e. System of
Caliphate, administration, judiciary, - Discuss the salient features of the
sources of revenue, Army, status of institution of Caliphate.
zimmis, women and slaves.
- Describe the contributions of the
 The important features of the Khilaftat-i-Rashida for the
Muslim society under the Caliphs, establishment of different
i.e. Tribal/Urban patterns of society. institutions of the State.

 Cultural and Intellectual - Compare and contrast different

developments. segments of society under the
Pious Caliphs.
 Expansion of Islamic State.
- Highlight the main patterns of
cultural and intellectual life during
the Khilafat-i-Rashida.

- Describe the expansion of Islamic

State during the Pious Caliphate.

- Discuss the status of Women and

Zimmis (protected citizens) during
the Pious Caliphate.

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 Chapter VI: The Umayyad Caliphate: Rise and Consolidation
Contents Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.  Amir Muawiya as First Caliph of the - Explain the role of Amir Muawiya
Umayyads. as First Caliph of the Umayyads.

 Yazid I - Shed light on the differences

between Caliphate and dynastic
 Tragedy of Karbala and Hazrat Imam rule of Umayyads.
Hussain
- Discuss the role and functioning of
 Marwan bin Hakam Yazid I.

 Abdul Malik bin Marwan and - Analyse the causes and effects of
consolidation of the Caliphate. the Tragedy of Karbala on the
Umayyad Empire.

- Write a comprehensive note on

the life and character of Hazrat
Imam Hussain.

- Delineate the role and function of

Marwan bin Hakam as Umayyad
Caliph.

- Explain the measures and steps

taken by Abdul Malik bin Marwan
for the consolidation of Umayyad
Caliphate.

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Chapter VII: The Umayyad Caliphate: Expansion and Culmination
Contents Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.  Walid bin Abdul Malik: Expansion of - Explain Walid bin Abdul Malik’s
Umayyad Empire,The Golden role as Caliph and the expansion
Period, Hajjaj bin Yousuf, of Islamic Empire under him.
Mohammad bin Qasim, Tariq bin
Ziyad, Musa bin Nusair. - Discuss the role of Qutaiba bin
Muslim in the conquest of Central
 Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik Asia.

 Umar bin Abdul Aziz(5th Pious - Delineate the role and functioning
Caliph) of Hajjaj bin Yousaf as Viceroy of
Eastern part of the Umayyad
 Yazid II bin Abdul Malik Empire.

 Hisham bin Abdul Malik - Elucidate Mohmmad bin Qasim’s

role in the conquest of Sindh and
Multan.

- Discuss Tariq bin Ziyad’s role in

the conquest of Spain.

- Highlight Sulaiman bin Abdul

Malik’s role as Caliph.

- Discuss the reforms introduced by

Umar bin Abdul Aziz(5th Pious
Caliph) aimed at purging the
Muslim society of various
malpractices.

- Evaluate the functioning of Yazid II

as Caliph.

- Write a note on the achievements

of Hisham bin Abdul Malik.

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 Chapter VIII: The Umayyad Caliphate: Decline and Fall
Contents Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.  Walid II bin Yazid - Discuss important events during
the reign of Walid II.
 Yazid III
- Explain Yazid III’s performance as
 Ibrahim Caliph.

 Marwan II and fall of the Umayyad - Highlight the important features

Caliphate. of the Abbaside campaign against
the Umayyad.
 Abbasid Movement and Abu Muslim
Khurasani. - Evaluate the role of Abu Muslim
Khurasani in the success of
Abbasid movement and fall of
Umayyad Caliphate.

- Write a comprehensive note on

the causes of the downfall of the
Umayyad Caliphate.

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Chapter IX: The Umayyad Caliphate: State and Society
Contents Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.  Comparison of Khilafat-i-Rashida - Analyse the changing nature of
with the Umayyad Caliphate. the Caliphate.

 Administration - Discuss difference in the political

• Central Administration and religious life of the people
• Provincial Administration during the Umayyad Caliphate.
• Law Enforcement departments
and judiciary. - Describe different aspects of
Administration of Umayyads.
 Army and Navy
- Discuss the Army system during
 Expansion of Islamic State the Umayyads.

 Society: Political Groups, Khawarij - Describe the establishment of

and advent of Mutazillites. Navy during the Umayyads.

 Status of Women and Institution of - Discuss Expansion of Islamic State

Slaves. under the Umayyads..

 Relations with non-Muslims - Elaborate Cultural activities with

reference to poetry and literature.
 Cultural and Intellectual
developments. - Explain the rise of Khawarij and
their anti-Umayyad Campaign.

- Shed light on the rise of

Mutazillite and also bring their
rationalist ideas into focus.

- Analyse the status of women

during the Umayyad rule.

- Discuss the status of zimmis and

slaves during the Umayyad rule.

- Elaborate the cultural and

intellectual advancement during
the Umayyads.

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 Section 3
Instructional Strategies
In most Pakistani classrooms teaching and learning follows what Freire
(1970) calls “The banking concept of education” in which teachers
“transmit” textbook facts to students who are expected to memorize and
reproduce these facts in examinations. This practice has become highly
ingrained especially in higher classes and teachers feel that methods of
lecture and recitation (teacher asks questions and student answers) are a
good way of teaching the large number of students in their classrooms
and assessing students ability to memorize textbook facts to ensure they
do well in examinations.

While it is important that teachers ensure students do well in

examinations, it is also necessary that the education provided prepares
students for life in a modern society, enhances students’ chances of
receiving higher education and employability and develops their social
consciousness so that they become agents of positive social change.

So, there are many reasons for using instructional strategies other than
lecture and recitation. First, research shows that students learn very little
(5%) when taught through the lecture method. However, as their active
intellectual engagement in the learning process increases they retain
more of their learning. Second, living in the information age where
knowledge is growing exponentially and facts are available at the click of
a button students need to learn “how to learn”. Third, many instructional
strategies besides facilitating students’ academic learning also aid
development of a number of skills and values and promote their
psychological health preparing them for the varied roles they will play in
today’s society. Finally in any class of students there will be a range of
interests, abilities and styles learning. Varying the teaching strategies will
address these differences allowing all children to learn.

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 The Learning Pyramid: Outcomes for Traditional Learning Methodology
vs. Outcomes for Active / Experiential Learning Methodology

This section begins with the lecture methods as teachers are most
familiar with and suggests ways to encourage students' participation in a
lecture to improve learning.

Effective Lecturing Strategy

A lecture is a method in which, the teacher transmits ideas, concepts and
information to the students. A lecture allows teachers to transmit
knowledge and explain key concepts in a limited time to a large group of
students. The lack of active intellectual engagement by students could
make the lecture boring so that students lose interest which hinders
learning. If used with different activities and exercises that call for
students participation, the lecture can stimulate students intellectually
and facilitate learning.

To deliver an effective lecture, the teacher must plan it and identify the
purpose of the lecture. In a classic lecture structure, the teacher outlines
the purpose of the lecture and the main themes/subtopics that will be
covered. Each theme/subtopic is then explained with examples. At the
end, the teacher summarizes each theme/subtopic and concludes the
lecture. A lecture can be made more effective by the use of diagrams,
photos, graphics, etc. using charts, an overhead or multimedia projector.

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 In order to keep students engaged in a lecture, teachers should ask a
question at the end of each theme/subtopic and give time to the
students to come up with the answer, call on a few students to share
their answers, sum up and move on. Some students out of fear of giving
an incorrect response may not answer. To increase students participation
use the Think-Pair-Share strategy; students think individually, share ideas
with a colleague and then with the class.

Before the lecture ask students if they want to share questions they want
answers to and tailor the lecture to answer them. Encourage students to
ask questions on completion of each theme/subtopic. Students'
questions can be answered by the teacher or directed to the students
inviting them to answer.

Assessing Students’ Learning in a lecture method

Students' learning can be assessed by asking students to answer

questions orally or fill in a ‘one-minute’ worksheet which asks them to
write down the 2-3 most important things they learnt in the lecture.
Alternatively, students’ notes on a lecture can be reviewed. A few days
later a test could be given to find out what students learnt.

Discussion
Discussion is a unique form of group interaction where students join
together to address a topic or questions regarding something they need
to understand, appreciate or decide. They exchange and examine
different views, experiences, ideas, opinions, reactions and conclusions
with one another during the discussion. There are several benefits of
discussion. Students increase their knowledge of the topic; explore a
diversity of views which enables them to recognize and investigate their
assumptions in the light of different perspectives; develop their
communicative competence, listen attentively, speak distinctly and learn
the art of democratic discourse.

Teachers need to plan a discussion carefully by reviewing the material

and choosing a question or a problem on a topic, framing it as
interrogative question instead of a statement or a phrase. It is important
that students have some knowledge of the topic chosen for discussion.
Good ways of ensuring this are: asking students to read on the topic,
interview concerned individuals, and engage in observation.

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 Teachers can start by presenting the question orally and in writing it on
the board to enable students to read and understand the question. Give
students time to think and note down ideas in response to the question.
During the discussion, ask probing questions such as “Why do you think?”
“Can you elaborate further?” Or draw a conclusion and raise a new but
related question. Give students the opportunity to participate and
contribute to the discussion.

Conclude the discussion by summarizing all the ideas shared and

identifying questions for further inquiry or discussion. Summaries should
be short but accurate.

Assessing Students Learning from a Discussion

The knowledge, skills and values developed through discussion can be
assessed using different assessment strategies. Use a checklist to record
the presence or absence of desired behaviours such as presentation of
factual research-based information, seeking clarifications, extending an
idea presented, questioning one’s assumptions, listening attentively,
communicating clearly and openly and respecting others. Based on data
the teacher can give feedback to the students for improvement. If the
purpose is to assess students’ knowledge and understanding, students
could be asked to write an essay on the topic or answer test questions.

Cooperative Learning
Cooperative learning is a strategy in which students work together in
small groups to maximize their own and each others’ learning. In
cooperative classrooms students have two responsibilities: (i) to learn
and complete assigned material and, (ii) to make sure that all members of
the group do so as well. A score of academic, social and psychological
benefits are associated with working collaboratively in groups such as
improved self-esteem, increased on-task time, increased higher order
thinking, better understanding of material, ability to work with others in
groups and improved attitudes towards school and teachers. Cooperative
learning creates opportunities for students to use and master social skills
necessary for living productive and satisfying lives.

How are students assessed in cooperative learning?

Success on the academic task is assessed by randomly asking students
questions, checking their work, or through individual tests or quizzes. For
the social skills task, students are evaluated through teacher observation
and students’ evaluation of their own and group effectiveness.

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 Inquiry/Investigation
Inquiry/investigation is a process of framing questions, gathering
information, analyzing it and drawing conclusions. An inquiry classroom is
one where students take responsibility for their learning and are required
to be active participants, searching for knowledge, thinking critically and
solving problems. Inquiry develops students' knowledge of the topic of
investigation, inquiry, skills of questioning, hypothesizing, information
gathering, critical thinking and presentation. They are also disposed to
engaging in inquiry, open-mindedness and continuing their learning.

Teaching students to conduct an inquiry investigation

There are two main types of inquiry: knowledge-based inquiry and
problem-based inquiry/investigation. Knowledge-based inquiry enables
students to enhance their knowledge and understanding of content.
Problem-based inquiry/investigation encourages study of social and
scientific problems. If the study could lead to social action work with
students to engage in responsible action.

There are a number of steps in conducting an inquiry/investigation. Each

step is described below and an example of a knowledge inquiry and
scientific investigation is provided below:

Choose a topic and have students frame inquiry questions(s) based on

the topic or plan an investigation by developing materials yourself

Have students formulate a hypothesis, i.e. provide possible explanations

or educated guesses in answer to the questions.

1. Help students plan the inquiry. For example:

 What is the best place to find information on the topic/What is
the best way to gather data to solve the problem?
 How to allocate time?
 Whom to consult?

2. Help students locate information/gather data. For example:

[Teachers are required to give relevant example(s)]

3. Have students record information as they find it. For example:

Students using books should note main idea and supporting evidence
(Note down the reference for future use) or students can record the
interview of a community member.

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 4. Help students evaluate their findings and draw conclusions. Students
should look for relationships in the information gathered, analyze the
information and try to answer the inquiry question. Teach them to
support their opinions with evidence from their data. For example:

5. Have students communicate their findings in creative ways, written,

oral and visual. For example, as a poster, article, talk show, role-play,
etc. for example:

If the study could result in a social action move it forward to have

students take informed and responsible actions.

6. Encourage student to suggest possible action based on findings.

Select actions that are doable. Look at possible consequences of each
action. Choose the best action. For example:

7. Make an action plan and carry out the action. For example:
[Teachers are required to give relevant example(s)]

8. Reflect on the success/challenges of the action.

Assessing learning from an inquiry/investigation

The process as well as products of an inquiry. Investigation must be
assessed through the following:

• Observation: Students’ abilities and skills can be observed during

each stage of the inquiry/investigation. For example, you can observe
a student conducting an interview, looking for relevant information in
the library or making a graph. Teachers can provide detailed
descriptive feedback to the students on their abilities and skills
observed.

• Documents analysis: Teachers can ask students to share anything

they have documented during the process of inquiry, including notes
made from material read, analysis of findings, etc. Teachers can give
marks on the relevance of material accessed, analysis of information
etc.

• Written or Oral presentations: written or oral presentations can be

marked in terms of the quality of content, creativity in the
presentations, ability to answer questions.

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 Section 4
Assessment
Assessment is gathering quantitative and qualitative information, using a
variety of tools and techniques that are easy to understand and interpret.

We need an assessment system to

- assess teaching and learning
- show proficiency in a wide variety of tasks at a class level.
- provide information to different people on how well standards are
being met.

What is an Assessment System?

Using a coordinated process of gathering information to improve student
learning forms an assessment system. Such a system must include
- The specific purpose(s) for which the assessment is being carried out;
- A wide variety of tools and techniques that measure what students
know, value, and are able to do;
- How the assessment can be interpreted and used to evaluate the
standards and learning outcomes;
- What criteria will be used to determine performance levels for the
standard Partially proficient
Proficient
Exceptional

Types of Assessment Methods

Four methods that can be used to assess teaching and learning are:

1. The selected response - students select the answer to a question

from two or more given choices. Such items are easy to develop.
Their short response time allows more information to be assessed in
a short time. However, since answer choices are provided, students
can guess the correct answer without knowing the material. Scoring is
quick and objective, since the teacher need only check if the single
correct or best answer was identified for each item.

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 2. A constructed response format requires students to create or
produce their own answer in response to a question or task. This
allows teachers to gain insight into students’ thinking and creative
processes, and to assess higher order thinking. However, such items
are time-consuming to answer and score. Although they eliminate
guesswork, scoring is more subjective and thus clear criteria are
necessary to maintain validity.

3. Teacher observations are so common that they are often ignored as a

form of assessment. However, teachers constantly observe and listen
to students as they work. Observation is also important in assessing
performance tasks, classroom climate, teacher effectiveness, and
other dimensions of the classroom.

4. Self assessment refers to students evaluating themselves. In self-

evaluation of academic achievement, students rate their own
performance in relation to established standards and criteria.
Students may also be asked to answer questions that reveal their
attitudes and beliefs about themselves or other students as part of
their self-reporting.

Within the four types of assessment methods, some commonly used

formats have been briefly described below:

Selected Response
Multiple-Choice Items

What is it?
Multiple choice items have a short question, followed by multiple answer
choices from which students must pick the correct or best answer. The
question is called the stem, and the answer choices are called options.
The options contain one correct or best answer, and two or more
distractors.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Relatively difficult to write, especially good distractors
• Having students pick the ‘correct’ answer assess knowledge and
understanding
• Having students pick the ‘best’ answer measures and higher order
thinking such as reasoning and critical analysis

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 • With answer choices provided, students focus on recognizing
information rather than recalling or memorising it
• By evaluating students’ wrong answers, teachers can judge why
students misunderstood which need to be clarified

Binary Choice Items

What is it?
A question with only two response categories is a binary-choice item. In
such items, a declarative sentence that makes a claim about content or
relationships among content is followed by the two choices. The most
popular binary-choice item is the true/false question; other examples
include correct/incorrect, yes/no, fact/opinion, agree/disagree, etc.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Can be used to assess knowledge, values, opinions (depending on
which binary choices are given)
• Restrict students' response to two opposing choices, so cannot show
a range of values or opinions
• Guessing allows students a 50% chance of being right!

Matching Items

What is it?
In a matching item, the items on the left are called the premises. In the
right-hand column are the options. The students’ task is to match the
correct option with each of the premises.

Strengths and Weakness

• Effectively assess students’ knowledge and associations/relationships;
• Can assess a great amount of factual information within a single topic.

Interpretive Exercises

What is it?
Interpretive exercises contain brief information or data, followed by
several questions. The questions are based on the information or data,
which can take the form of maps, paragraphs, charts, figures, a story,
tables or pictures.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Can assess interpretation, analysis, application, critical thinking, and
other reasoning skills

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 • Multiple questions about the same information allow reasoning skills
to be measured in greater depth
• Allows reasoning skills to be assessed separately from content
knowledge of the subject (in other selected-responses, unsuitable
answers can be due to students’ lack of knowledge or lack of
reasoning skills)
• Allows students to focus on applying and connecting knowledge
• Uses information in formats that students encounter daily, such as
maps and newspaper articles, which increases meaning and relevance
of the exercise
• Students must use the reasoning skill the exercise asks for, thus
teachers can see which skills individual students need more practice
with
• Exercises are time-consuming to construct (appropriate material must
be located/developed, along with multiple questions)
• Disadvantages students with poor reading ability
• Cannot see students’ ideas or reasoning methods

Constructed Response
Fill-in Items

What is it?
Fill-in items assess knowledge by having students complete a statement.
They can also ask students to label diagrams or write a one word answer
to a short question.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Cannot check understanding or higher order thinking
• Easy to construct
• Responses can be words, numbers or symbols
• Responses are short, so students can be tested on more information
in less time
• Offer least freedom of student response, so ideal to check factual
recall
• Quick and reliable scoring
• Be careful because-poorly written questions can leave students
confused!

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 Short Answer

What is it?
Short-answer items are questions that call for students to write short
answers (3-4 sentences at most), such as definitions or showing working
in math problems.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Good for assessing knowledge
• Can also assess understanding and reasoning
• Easy to construct since structure similar to instruction (question-and-
answer) in class, so natural to teacher and student

Essay Items

What is it?
Such items literally have students answer a question by writing an essay.
The length, nature and content of the essay is dependent on the question
posed, so responses may be restricted or extended.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Require students to sequence and integrate many separate ideas into
a meaningful whole, interpret information, give arguments, give
explanations, evaluate the merit of ideas, and conduct other types of
reasoning
• Help students see themes, patterns, relationships
• Allow flexibility in responses
• Can evaluate students’ ability to communicate their ideas
• Reading and scoring answers is time-consuming, especially if done so
that meaningful feedback is given to students
• A single person, the teacher, judges the answers, so variations in
mood, expectations, the order in which students are evaluated, and
other factors, affect the professional judgments that are made
• Cannot assess lots of information or multiple reasoning skills at once

Performance-based Assessments

What is it?
Performance-based assessments involve teachers observing and
assessing students’ demonstration of a skill/process and/or competency
in creating a product/making a presentation as a result of a skill/process.

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 Characteristics of Performance-based Assessments
• Students perform, create, construct, produce, or do something
• Deep understanding and/ or higher order thinking skills are needed
• Involves significant work that usually takes days to weeks to complete
• Calls on students to explain, justify, and defend
• Performance is directly observable
• Involves engaging ideas of importance and substance
• Criteria and standards are specified and explained to students along
with the task
• There is no single best product or correct process
• Usually students work with real-world contexts and constraints

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 Section 5
Guideline for Developing Teaching Learning
Resources
In most classrooms student-teacher interaction is limited to reading,
writing and speaking. Students remember some of what they hear, much
of what they read and more of what they see. However, if students are to
remember, understand and embody what they learn, they need to
experience their learning. Because each student is unique and learns
differently, some students must touch or do in order to experience
learning. Using multiple, varied teaching learning resources then is
integral so that student's experience as they learn and also develops their
multiple intelligences.

In most Pakistani schools the government prescribed textbook is the only

teaching learning tool. Rarely do teachers use other resources to support
the learning. However, many other resources are available, accessible
and affordable.

For all subjects, these are:

- Textbooks
- Teachers guides
- Students workbooks
- Visual aids such as charts, models etc.
- Videotapes
Computer software
- Computers Internet (Websites, online libraries)

- Community Field trip

Guest speaker
- The environment

There are a number of teaching and learning materials required for

effective teaching of particular subjects. For example
[Teachers are required to give relevant example(s)]

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 Guideline for Writing a Textbook
A textbook is an important teaching and learning resource and one of the
most extensively used resources is Pakistani classrooms.

Basic features of a textbook

• The textbook serve as a framework for teaching through the year.
• Must have accurate and up-to-date material
• The material must be sufficient to give students the knowledge they
need to understand the concepts, develop the skills and engage in
higher order thinking
• The material should help students understand the world in which
they live, prepare for exams, prepare for life, raise their standard.
• The materials must be mistake free so it can be trusted.
• The material must be unbiased.
• The book must be attractive and engaging
• Illustrations must vary from page to page.
• Activities suggested must vary from page to page.
• End-of-the-chapter exercises must vary from chapter to chapter. They
should encourage students to think, develop skills, use information
for a variety of purpose.
• Table of contents including subtopics.
• Index
• Glossary
• Must be contextually relevant (feasible to use in classrooms,
affordable, examples from context to increase relevance and
meaning)

Guideline of Teacher’s Guide

Textbooks should come with a teacher’s guide aimed at informing
teachers of how the textbook is written and how best to use it to
facilitate student learning. Teacher guides provide detailed explanation of
key concepts. Way to teach a particular topic, provide further examples
that could be given to facilitate learning. Teacher’s guide serves to
educate teachers and thus could be seen as a means of helping teachers
develop professionally.

Basic features of a teacher's guide:

• based on accompanying textbook skills, knowledge, strategies for
teacher grouped according to chapter and sequenced to correspond
with text.

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 • help teachers teach text and extend activities
• does this by keeping contextual realities in view
• various teaching strategies and
rationale for suggested teaching
• various assessment strategies up-to-date, relevant
• teaching learning resources
• additional information sources
• extended activities and how to conduct them
• introduction to guide explaining how to use it
• materials that teachers can photocopy, use themselves or for
students
• easy to understand and use
• expand and develop teacher’s repertoire of knowledge and skills.

How to write

Planning (for each chapter)

• Identify teaching strategies appropriate to context of teaching and
learning, according to textbook, and rationale for each strategy.
• Identify which teaching strategies suitable for teaching knowledge,
skills, dispositions in each chapter.
• Identify what extended activities students could do with teacher’s
help to develop target knowledge, skills and dispositions.
• Identify resources needed for teaching strategies and extension
activities.
• Identify sources of information teachers can use to develop their
knowledge (content and pedagogical) and skills (pedagogical).
• Identify gaps in resources or strategies that will need to be developed
or explained
• Identify assessment strategies

Guideline for Writing a Workbook

Workbooks are books that contain writing activities and exercises that
are related to each chapter in the textbook. Workbook exercises help to
develop students conceptual understanding of the concepts dealt with in
the text, to develop skills and to apply knowledge to new situations.

Basic features of a workbook:

• many exercises and activities for each chapter, topic, subtopic
• exercise and activities effectively help develop, practise and assess
students' content knowledge, skills and higher order thinking
• accurate exercises (mistake free)

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 • correspond to text – exercises and activities for same topic, chapter
grouped together; presuppose knowledge and skills developed in text
only
• different from exercises, activities in text and guide
• non-repetitive in style, structure ― engage students
• easy for students to understand and follow – clear instructions
• illustrations/examples/explanations

Other Educational Resources

Educational Tours (visits)

What to do
• Plan the tour;
• Identify and contact appropriate authorities (seek parents’, principal’s
written permission at school and management at place of visit)
• Develop programme for the visit;
• Develop a task sheet;
• Brief learners;
• Visit place
• Exchange views; and
• Evaluate and report

Resources
• Transport;
• Places to be visited; and
• Contact person at place to be visited.

Cautions
• Use language appropriate to the subject matter at hand;
• Avoid discriminatory language;
• Time allocation;
• Students may need special clothing, food and water, etc.
• Ensure they know programme and requirement beforehand.

Guest Speaker

What to do
• Identify and contact appropriate guest speaker;
• Agree on time, duration and venue;
• Give information on student, outcomes of learning to be covered;
• Brief learners on what they are expected to do;
• Inform the relevant authority (Principal, HOD);

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 • Receive and introduce speaker to the relevant management and
learner;
• Allow speaker to take charge of the session, instruct students to pay
attention, note down questions for question-answer session;
• Facilitate question-answer session and have student(s) thank speaker
or thank speaker yourself.
• Follow up activity with learners, relate session to the outcomes of
learning.

Resources
• Arrange venue with required equipment;
• Guest speaker;
• Task sheet.

Cautions
Ensure materials are appropriate for the audience (if possible preview the
material);
• Be aware of sensitivity; and
• Inform speaker of the language level of the target group

Video

What to do
• Preview video and edit (take numbers on counter to mark sections to
be viewed);
• Prepare task sheets and handouts;
• Show video pausing at appropriate intervals/points;
• Give learners time to complete tasks; and
• Summarise discussions relating to outcomes of learning.

Resources
• Video;
• Video equipment;
• Task sheets; and
• Handouts.

Cautions
• Try out equipment before use;
• Rehearse prior to session;
• Be sensitive to learners.

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 Section 6
Team of Writers

1. Prof. Dr. Riaz Ahmad,

HEC Eminent Professor,
Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations,
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad.

2. Mr. Arif Majeed

Joint Educational Advisor
Ministry of Education (Curriculum Wing),
Islamabad.

3. Mr. Mulazim Hussain Mujahid

Deputy Educational Adviser,
Ministry of Education (Curriculum Wing)
Islamabad.

4. Ms. Nighat Lone,

Consultant,
Ministry of Education (Curriculum Wing),
Islamabad.

5. Prof. Sharif al Mujahid,

HEC Distinguished National Professor
Karachi.

6. Dr. Tahir Kamran,

Chairperson,
History Department,
Government College University,
Lahore.

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 7. Dr. Humaira Arif Dasti,
Chairperson, Department of History,
Bahauddin Zakariya University,
Multan.

8. Dr. Munir Ahmad Baloch,

Director,
Area Study Centre of Middle East
University of Baluchistan
Quetta.

9. Dr. Parvez Iqbal Cheema

Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences
National Defence University
Islamabad.

10. Prof. Dr. S.M. Asif Ali Rizvi,

Chairman,
Dept. of History/Pakistan Studies,
Islamia University,
Bahawalpur.

11. Dr. Abdul Ghafur Muslim

Professor
West London College of Management Sciences
London.

12. Dr. Abdur Rauf,

Associate Professor,
Department of Political Science,
University of Peshawar,
Peshawar.

13. Dr. Syed Minhaj ul Hassan

Chairman
Department of History
University of Peshawar
Peshawar.
14. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Khan
Department of History
Bahauddin Zakariya University
Multan.

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15. Mr. Khalid Mahmood
Head, Department of History
Federal Government College H/8
Islamabad.

16. Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah

Dy. Head Master
Federal Government Boys Model Higher Secondary School,
I-10/1 Islamabad.

17. Mr. Mumtaz Ali,

Director (Colleges)
Federal Directorate of Education, Islamabad.

18. Mr. Masood Zahid

Assistant Professor
National Institute of Pakistan Studies
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad.

19. Dr. Javed Haider Syed

Associate Professor
Department of Hisory
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad.

20. Dr. Zia ul Haq

Chairman
Department of Islamic and PakistanStudies
National University of Modern Languages
Islamabad.

21. Brig. (R) Wasiq Ahmed

Professor
Department of Pakistan Studies
National University of Modern Languages
Islamabad.

22. Dr. Ghani ur Rehman

Assistant Professor
Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad.

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 23. Dr. Hafeez ur Rehman
Chairman,
Department of Anthropology,
Quaid-i-Azam University
Islamabad.

Select Committee Members

1. Prof. Dr. Riaz Ahmad,

HEC Eminent Professor,
Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations,
Quaid-i-Azam University,
Islamabad

2. Ms. Nighat Lone,

Consultant
Ministry of Education (Curriculum Wing)
Islamabad.

3. Prof. Sharif al Mujahid

HEC Distinguished National Professor
Karachi.

4. Dr. Tahir Kamran

Chairman
G.C. University
Lahore.

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Review Committee Members

1. Prof. Dr. Riaz Ahmad

HEC Eminent Professor,
Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations,
Quaid-i-Azam University ,
Islamabad

2. Mr. Arif Majeed

Joint Educational Advisor
Ministry of Education (Curriculum Wing),
Islamabad.

3. Mr. Mulazim Hussain Mujahid

Deputy Educational Adviser,
Ministry of Education (Curriculum Wing)
Islamabad.

4. Ms. Nighat Lone

Consultant
Ministry of Education (Curriculum Wing)
Islamabad.

5. Raja Iftikhar Hussain Khan

Subject Specialist
DCRD
Azad Jammu Kashmir.

6. Prof. Khial Zada

Member (R)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board,
Peshawar.

7. Prof. Muhammad Iqbal

Subject Specialist
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board,
Peshawar.

8. Meher Safdar Waleed

Subject Specialist
Punjab Textbook Board,
Lahore.

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 9. Syed Arif Shah
Deputy Director
Baluchistan Textbook Board,
Quetta.

10. Sabir Panezai

Senior Subject Specialist
Baluchistan Textbook Board,
Quetta.

11. Dr. Sultan-e-Rome

Professor
Govt. Jehanzeb College,
Saidu Sharif
Swat.

12. Prof. Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Lakho

Department of History,
University of Sindh,
Jamshoro.

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