KARACHI: `Why is it that when the human intellect is exploring outer space, probing the depth of the ocean and releasing the vast potential of its genius through invention, discovery and innovation, our children`s minds are still throttled by an education system that is rigid, inflexible and rooted in traditional system and structures?` questioned the trustee of Nasra Schools and president of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology, Shahnaz Wazir Ali.

She was speaking at the principals` conference organised by Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) in partnership with the Oxford University Press (OUP) here on Wednesday to bring together change agents with an aim to provide structured learning opportunities to educational leadership and to gain insights into school improvement from an indigenous as well as a global perspective.

`To attain learning outcomes, in knowledge and skills, and make `the great leap forward` so that every child can achieve his/her potential, we must break the shackles of over-regulation, and centralised controls, pitch resources into promoting quality teaching and learning, and place the `teacher` and the `student` at the cen-tre of the change process,` Ms Wazir Ali added.

Educationists from across Pakistan participated in the conference to discuss challenges and find ways to improve school leadership and thereby raise the standard of teaching and learning here. They deliberated on prevalent educational issues in Pakistan and discussed how to build linkages with their peers in order to learn from best practices and thereby boost results.

Renowned national and international experts and panellists engaged the participants in thought-provoking sessions. The highlight of the conference included a session by Nicholas Horsburgh, a veteran author and textbook writer of the OUP on Ownership and Engagement.

Ameena Saiyid, managing director of the Oxford University Press, Pakistan, said: `The importance of education throughouthumanhistoryis undeniable. Education is the key to an individual`s as well as a nation`s future.

In today`s world, populated by seven billion plus people, for all those striving for a better future for themselves and their coming generations, education is as essential as air and water, not only to survive but to progress. It is the understanding, imparting and application of knowledge for personal as well as professional progress. It is the foundation on which knowledge and life arebuilt,` she said.

An intriguing discussion on reimaging textbook was led by an experienced panel comprising Dr Nicki Saroca, faculty, Habib University; Rahila Ashraf, general manager (education) OUP; Kermin Parakh, principal, Bai Virbaijee Soparivala (BVS) Parsi High School, and Dr Uzma Javed, director (studies), The City School, Lahore.

Shahid Badami, principal of Ghulaman-i-Abbas School and Ali Gohar Chang, principal of IBA Public School, Sukkur, shared inspirational stories of their schools, striving to provide and promote quality education in challenging areas of Pakistan. This was followed by a panel discussion by Dr Ayesha Mian, who is the Chair, AKU`s department of psychiatry, and Prof Dr Mohammad Shafi Afridi, chairman of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Peshawar.

AKU-EB Director Dr Shehzad Jeeva said engaged teaching and learning affected the knowledge, skills, attitudes and capacities of students to contribute in the communities in which they lived. `It broadens their horizons and approach towards education that prepares them to practise high-level critical thinking,` he said.

The conference concluded with an interactive session titled `World Café`, conducted by Teachers` Development Centre director Abbas Husain.