The 82nd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on August 23, 2019, on the theme of “Values-based Education and Social Cohesion”. The endeavor aimed to discuss how the education with some core values of humanity at the core can be the most inclusive form of education ever.
The guests on show were of the view that there should be an extended focus on the development of social; values based education as well as provision of unified educational system irrespective of any differences of class, gender, age and culture as a key to promote social cohesion and national integration.
The first guest on show, Mr. Jahangir Adil, Senior Instructor at Provincial Institute of Teachers Education (PITE), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, opined that the very basic purpose of education is to enable an individual to the extent where one can distinguish between good and bad as well as nourish all the critical aspects of personality.
According to article 25A of the Constitution of Pakistan, basic education is a fundamental right of every citizen which the state is bound to fulfill, irrespective of color, caste or creed and that too free of cost.
He explained that there is an essential need is to inculcate and introduce an ethics and values based unified educational system because the purpose of education is not only earning a degree but also to prepare harbingers of peace; individuals who further develop the society.
Inclusive curriculum requires consideration of the emotional and soft skills development needs. The educational curriculum development process has to be inclusive of the social development needs and not just the market needs. It must embed the values key to social peace, coexistence and cohesion. Periodic review of educational policies can also serve as a significant hallmark to achieve this outcome.
He concluded that our policies are effective but they should be implemented in letter and spirit. The curriculum review and revision process should replace contradictory notions and contents to fill up the gap between theory and practice.
The second guest on show, Mr. Bakht Zaman Yousufazai, Assistant Professor of Journalism at University of Peshawar, explained that the constitutional status of education as fundamental right calls for the unified system of education leaving no room for parallel educational structures for different classes in the society. Allowing multiple systems of education is also discriminational and contrary to the notion of equal citizenry.
Hence, abolition of class difference is the primary step to foster equality and social mobility. All the relevant stakeholders e.g. youth leaders, educators and other relevant members of the society should be taken on board the educational reforms process to make a real difference. Another step that needs to be taken is to provide education in mother language, at least on the primary level.
Values based education promotes a civic sense among our students which is vital to develop responsible citizenry and for prosperous and bright future. The classroom setting must allow space for discussions on different cultures to foster better understanding and respect.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.