OxfordAQA, an international examination board, announced on Tuesday the introduction of three new required subject specifications: Islamiyat, Pakistan Studies, and Urdu.

This is an attempt to give Pakistani students preparing for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), also known as O Level, exams a modern and contextualized education.

In order to foster critical thinking, analytical abilities, and exam readiness, the recently created courses have a defined evaluation framework.

Pakistan's history, geography, Islamic faith and customs, and the depth of Urdu literature and language are all well covered in the curricula.

The culturally relevant curriculum content, using simple and straightforward language, is carefully positioned within the broader context of global changes and Pakistan’s expanding international role there.

Speaking at the event, Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Pakistan, stated that his organization's partnership with AQA helps Pakistani students develop skills that will be useful in the future by providing them with access to global experience.

"OxfordAQA empowers students to thrive on the global stage by standing for equity, openness, and high-quality education," he stated.

Salma Adil, director of OxfordAQA Pakistan, went into further detail about the initiative's wider effects.OxfordAQA blends practical relevance with academic integrity.

Our goal is to make sure kids have the knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed in a global environment in addition to being well-prepared for exams," she stated.

She also introduced the study materials, which are textbooks for the three main disciplines of the national curriculum: Islamiyat, Urdu, and Pakistan Studies.

Also speaking were the authors of the textbooks for each topic, such as Nigel Smith (Pakistan Studies), Dr. Faizuddin Ahmed (Urdu), and Nighat Gaya Bajwa (Islamiat).