Skies, future and curricula: Content of Astronomy and Space Sciences material in pre-University level courses Karachi

In all the eras of known human civilization, the role of Astronomy and Space Science has been dominant. The fate of human beings was so much associated with the blessings of the skies that such topics became essential part of myth, legend, religion, philosophy, poetry and science in all the ages. Divine on one hand and most earthly on the other, these topics acclaimed paramount at all theological, philosophical, scientific and academic forums. Most of the modern developments are indebted in one or the other way to the developments in these areas. Irrespective of the importance of Astronomy and Space Science as individual subjects, their role in the development of intellect and academic enhancement cannot be ignored. Because of this, in developed countries it is managed to make these subjects part of the curricula as independent subjects. Otherwise, selected topics from these areas are included in the curricula of other related subjects. As is the case with most of the underdeveloped countries of the world, curricula in Pakistan too are deficient in this regard. This is most true in particular, at the school and college levels. There are various systems of schools and colleges in practice in Pakistan. Public sector schools and colleges are directly managed by the Federal or Provincial Governments through the respective ministries of education or through some Board of Governors. The other institutions are run by private sector organizations on commercial or welfare basis. Public sector institutions are required to follow the curricula suggested by the federal and provincial bodies established by the respective governments for this purpose. In addition, such institution has to follow the textbooks published by Federal and Provincial Textbook Boards established by the respective governments. Institutions under board of governors or private sector organizations are independent to follow alternative systems of education, curricula and textbooks. In this study we have reviewed the curricula and the textbooks which are in use in public sector schools and colleges in Pakistan. We have considered Karachi the biggest city of Pakistan as the case study but the situation is not much different in the other parts of the country. It is found that Astronomy and Space Science as individual subjects are neither included at the school level nor at the college level. However, topics from Astronomy and Space Science are included in the text books as chapters or some such materi