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| India-Pakistan |
| 'Objectionable material' |
| 2014-09-29 |
| [DAWN] IT is fair to say that the mix of ideology, religion and selective history taught in our public schools often leaves students unable to cope with the realities of the modern world. Some critics have even said that the curriculum is the main reason for the Pak population's steady drift towards intolerance. Yet whenever efforts are made to reform the curriculum, powerful forces that insist on keeping intact the narrative in textbooks -- one that was largely constructed in the Zia era -- become active in order to mould the minds of the next generation. As reported in this paper on Saturday, the PTI-led government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central... has buckled under pressure exerted by Jamaat-e-Islami ... The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independentbranch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... , its provincial coalition partner, and has decided to remove 'objectionable material' from primary school textbooks. We would assume any matter that promotes hatred and intolerance would fall under the category of 'objectionable material', but the Jamaat, it seems, has other ideas. Reportedly, the party has issues with the presence of pictures of Christmas cakes and little girls without dupattas in schoolbooks, as well as the mention of 'good morning', instead of 'As salaam-o-alaikum'. Moulding the curriculum so it is culturally appropriate is understandable, but these objections seem ridiculous. If anything, we need greater mention of other faiths and cultures in our textbooks so that our children are taught to appreciate diversity. Perhaps the JI and PTI should make an effort to educate youngsters about the values of harmony, tolerance and brotherhood so that their impressionable minds are exposed to an alternative narrative to counter the hate and poison that surrounds them. Also, there is much that needs to be fixed in KP's education system before the administration starts worrying about Christmas cakes in textbooks. While some improvements have been made under the PTI's watch where the management of the education system is concerned, matters largely remain the same. Additionally, much of the infrastructure, including girls' schools, damaged by Lions of Islam needs urgent attention. Instead of non-issues, it is these areas that the provincial government should be concentrating on. |
| Posted by:Fred |