Gap Analysis of Human Health Care Content in the Single National Curriculum(2020) General Science Textbooks for Grade 6-8 Published by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board

Abstract

Textbooks remain the main instructional resource in Pakistani elementary classrooms, yet little is known about where their health content falls short. To identify gaps and areas for improvement in the human health care content of General Science textbooks for Grades 6-8 developed under the Single National Curriculum (SNC) 2020 and published by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board (KPTB). A qualitative content analysis was conducted on three textbooks (568 pages; 36 chapters). A researcher-developed checklist covering five categories (Personal Hygiene, Food and Healthy Diet, Human Body Systems, Disease Prevention, and Health and Lifestyle Practices) was scored from 0 (absent) to 3 (comprehensive). Gap scores (3 minus the coverage score) were computed, and page-referenced narrative evidence was synthesized thematically. Findings of 45 available coverage points, 16 (35.6%) were unmet. Gaps clustered in Personal Hygiene and Health and Lifestyle Practices (5 points each) and Food and Healthy Diet (4 points), which was entirely absent from Grade 7. Six gap themes emerged: a broken nutrition progression; shallow, non-procedural hygiene content; limited attention to contemporary lifestyle issues (mental health, sleep, screen time, substance use); thin first aid and emergency care; scarce practical activities and step-by-step visuals; and repetition without reinforcement. Human Body Systems showed no gap, and content was judged age-appropriate. There for this study concluded that textbooks are scientifically sound but behaviorally thin. A balanced spiral health strand, a dedicated lifestyle and well-being unit, practical first aid content, and activity-rich pedagogical features are recommended, supported by a periodic textbook review cycle.