Punjab Announces Major Revision in Textbooks for Academic Session 2026-27 — PECTAA Issues Official Notification
The Punjab Education, Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA) has officially announced a major revision in the content of multiple textbooks for the upcoming Academic Session 2026–27. The notification, issued from the PECTAA head office in Gulberg-III, Lahore, directs several provincial education departments and authorities to update their textbook indents in accordance with the newly revised curriculum.
The decision marks one of the most significant textbook updates in recent years, affecting key subjects from Grade 6 to Grade 9, including English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The complete list of revised textbooks has been attached as Annex-A in the official circular.
PECTAA Revises Textbook Content to Improve Quality and Reduce Pages
According to the notification, PECTAA has revised the content of several textbooks, with a notable reduction in the number of pages. This shift aims to enhance clarity, reduce unnecessary content, and provide a more concise and student-friendly learning experience.
The authority has specifically stated that the revised page numbers will directly impact the printing requirements for the next academic year. Therefore, all departments have been instructed to revise their printing indents immediately to ensure timely production of the new textbooks.
The notification emphasizes:
“The number of pages for the said textbooks have been reduced. It is, therefore, requested to kindly revise the indent for these textbooks so that PECTAA can print them according to the new indent.”
This message has been circulated to all relevant departments responsible for monitoring, printing, distribution, and curriculum management.
Who Received the Notification?
The official circular has been forwarded to key stakeholders, including:
- Programme Director, Program Monitoring & Implementation Unit (PMIU), Lahore
- Managing Director, Punjab Education Foundation
- CEO, Punjab Education Initiatives Management Authority (PEIMA)
- Director (Education), Mines Labour Welfare Commissioner
- Director (Academics), Directorate General of Special Education, Punjab
- Director (Education), Punjab Workers Welfare Fund
Additionally, copies have been sent to senior officials including the Secretary of the School Education Department and the Chief Executive Officer of PECTAA.
List of Revised Textbooks for 2026-27
The attached Annex-A outlines 29 textbooks that have undergone revisions. These include both English Medium (EM) and Urdu Medium (UM) versions. Major changes apply to the following grades:
Revised Textbooks for Grade 6
- Geography-6 (EM)
- English-6
- History-6 (EM)
Revised Textbooks for Grade 7
- Geography-7 (EM)
- Math-7 (EM)
- History-7 (EM)
- Computer Science-7 (EM)
Revised Textbooks for Grade 8
- Geography-8 (EM)
- Math-8 (EM)
- History-8 (EM)
Revised Textbooks for Grade 9
- English-9
- Math-9 (EM)
- Riazi-9 (UM)
- Physics-9 (EM)
- Physics-9 (UM)
- Chemistry-9 (EM)
- Chemistry-9 (UM)
- Biology-9 (EM)
- Biology-9 (UM)
- Computer Science & Entrepreneurship-9 (EM)
- Computer Science & Entrepreneurship-9 (UM)
General Science (Grades 9–10)
- General Science 9–10 (EM)
- General Science 9–10 (UM)
Technical Group Textbooks for Grade 9
- Physics-Tech-9 (EM)
- Physics-Tech-9 (UM)
- Chemistry-Tech-9 (EM)
- Chemistry-Tech-9 (UM)
- Computer Science & Entrepreneurship Tech-9 (EM)
- Computer Science & Entrepreneurship Tech-9 (UM)
This comprehensive list shows that the revisions are widespread, impacting both regular and technical streams at the secondary level.
Why Has Punjab Revised Textbooks?
According to officials familiar with curriculum development, textbook revision is part of a broader plan to:
- Update outdated content
- Improve alignment with international standards
- Reduce unnecessary chapters and complex language
- Ensure textbooks are age-appropriate and easier to understand
- Strengthen STEM education
- Integrate entrepreneurship and technology concepts at an early level
The reduction in page count is meant to make learning more manageable and less overwhelming for students.
Impact on Schools, Teachers, and Students
The revised textbooks will be implemented in:
- Public schools
- Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) partner schools
- Schools operating under special departments
- Workers Welfare Fund schools
- Mines Labour Welfare schools
Teachers will need to adjust their annual teaching plans, lesson strategies, and assessments based on the new content. Private publishers and printing contractors must also update their systems to match the revised page counts.
Students and parents can expect:
- Fresher, updated, and more concise textbook content
- Better-designed learning materials
- Reduced load in terms of book weight and study volume
This move is expected to improve learning outcomes and promote conceptual understanding across subjects.
When Will the Revised Books Be Available?
Based on the notification timeline, the revised textbooks will be printed and distributed before the start of Academic Session 2026–27, which typically begins in April.
The directive urges departments to revise indents promptly so that printing schedules remain uninterrupted.
Education Experts Welcome the Move
Education observers from Lahore and other major cities have appreciated the step, noting that textbook revision has long been overdue.
Some experts commented that the increasing complexity of earlier textbooks placed undue pressure on students. The new changes are expected to make learning more efficient and aligned with modern educational practices.
PECTAA’s official notification regarding the Change in Content of Textbooks for Academic Session 2026-27 marks a significant step in improving the quality of education across Punjab. With updated, streamlined, and modernized content, students from Grade 6 to Grade 9 will benefit from more effective learning materials.
The revised textbooks list provided in Annex-A highlights the scale of the update, ensuring that subjects across both regular and technical streams are brought in line with contemporary educational needs.
Educational departments are now preparing to implement these changes, ensuring that all schools receive the newly revised textbooks in time for the next academic year.
