Role of Education in National Integration and Community Development in Pakistan PDF

Role of Education in NATIONAL INTEGRATION and Community Development in Pakistan Akhtar Hussain Sandhu Principal/Historian/Columnist Postdoctoral Fellowship (UK) Postgraduate Research (UK)...

Role of Education in NATIONAL INTEGRATION and Community Development in Pakistan Akhtar Hussain Sandhu Principal/Historian/Columnist Postdoctoral Fellowship (UK) Postgraduate Research (UK) Doctorate (Quaid-i-Azam University)  POINTS UNDER DISCUSSION This discussion will focus: Pakistani Society, National Integration Look at Syllabus: Mother/Family values, Society Educational Institution Social Issues: Role of education in presenting solutions Role of Education: School, College, University (public & private), Madrassah, Foreign syllabi and institutions ….to create an environment of national integration/cohesiveness? Role of teacher, Curriculum, head, other stakeholders Segments to promote National Integration  Understanding Society and National Integration:  Society is a group of people sharing common territory with diverse race, culture, language, interest, demands, etc. …….  National Integration: A country blessed with the citizens having uncompromising unity on certain/basic principles regarding nationalism, system and national narratives…(Constitution)  People of a country possessing unbiased agenda towards national integrity Sense of togetherness, cohesiveness and unity among the groups is called National Integration  SOCIO-POLITICAL STRUCTURE Society consists of several factions: 1. People (Rural vs urban, poor & rich, good & bad, competent & incompetent, educated & uneducated, skilled & unskilled, extremist & moderate, violent & pacifist, religious & secular, corrupt & honest….).. To whom we must support? 2. Government: Parliamentary Democracy, Constitution, state institutions, machinery involved in the activities.. Permanent vs tenured govt.. 3. System: Democracy vs Culture, party vs party system, Leaders and Voters Influential Segments/institutions…. Executive, Judiciary, Establishment, media, NGOs, ill-disciplined Masses with organized agenda… which must dominate? Rule of Law Media is not pillar of government….no share in power… it represents masses Are we an unclear society?  EDUCATE TO HONOUR CONSTITUTION Constitution: defines jurisdiction, powers and limits (balance of power)… backbone of country. Allegiance to Constitution/laws 3 types of Government: National, Provincial & Local Political leadership from Local Govt Election process Leadership: John Covey: Self-recognition, Destination, Response ability…. Family Leadership, educational, bureaucratic, judicial, military, local, provincial and national, international levels.. No need for student politics…. It breeds polarization Best Society: wherein rule of law is ensured. Andha qanoon Honesty gets honour…. Working for nation-building? (in your capacity) Separation power: Institution must not encroach other’s power Bad Governance has damaged the credibility of the state institutions  TOOLS OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION: Syllabus  Journey from Religious to territorial nationalism  Syllabi/Textbooks: School, College, University level… Provincial syllabus does not talk of cultures/bravery of other federating units… rather many points are conflicting  Teachers: Teachers interpret chapters/points under biased way.. Gestures… examples, jokes, Sectarianism, political injunction and anti- minority attitude Subject Topics: Heroism: Sarhadi Gandhi vs Founding Fathers/girls wrote letter to Hajjaj (which script) Invaders and stories about Punjab…Punjabi rule vs Pakhtun history (Saragarhi battle etc) Same in Sindh and Balochistan: National authority must design Curriculum… Exchange of teachers for a specific period can be a positive step… otherwise capacity building programme in other provinces  Business Community (if educated) (Social Trend vs individual approach)  Inter-provincial trade/business Legal Business:  Dried fruits: almond, Raisins (Kishmish), Walnuts (Akhrot), Betel Nuts (Supari), Pumpkin Seeds (Kaddu bee), Cashew Nuts (Kaju),)  Blankets  Labour Illegal Business:  Drugs:  Weapons:  Machinery:  Irani goods:  Smuggling with Afghanistan/Human Resource (TTP)  Religious Extremism: Religion for sale? All groups make money from the religious moves Good governance can curb malpractices… trade be regualrised…digital payment (only quality education can ensure good governance and individual approach)  CULTURE: FOE OR FRIEND? Religion divides while culture unites… Population of Punjab: Punjab having big population clinch big share in state institutions August 1947 Report on Muslim Civil Servants: Insufficient Pool of Officers: (promotes weak performance) In 1947, Pakistan did not have sufficient number of officers in all services so quick promotion elevated many to higher rank. Quaid-i-Azam said: Civil servants are to serve the nation. They will not be a part of politics. Constitution: demands a subordinate role of the military under the political government. All administrative institutions will work under the constitutional check.  Cultural Studies as subject should be introduced,,, all provinces must know about the saintly heritage, religious harmony and tolerance..  Hospitality, Folklore and stories of love and bravery should be shared.  REGIONAL PARTIES WHY? Politics in Pakistan: 3 types of Government: National, Provincial & Local 2 Types of Political Parties: 3rd Azad Candidates  Regional parties proved dangerous in coalition governments  Few members override the majority assembly party  National Parties struggle for PM/CM portfolio  Regional Parties run for ministries  Azad candidates are for sale/compromising group  Seeking to be merged in any mainstream party to save future candidature/interests  Regional and Azad segment invites the role of non-political actors  Regional parties propagate hatred against the federation and other provinces  INTER-DINING AND INTER- MARRIAGE Integration: 2 mechanisms 1. Inter-dining 2. Inter-marriages (History and modern era) No problem in inter-dining as majority eat the same We lack Inter-marriages… Officers and teachers should be exchanged and inter- marriages between the families of provinces be promoted  ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED  The biggest problem has been: STATE OF GOVERNANCE:  Relations between voters and political leader:  Problems of the people: basic needs, poverty, education, Jobs, Police station, courts, transfers and postings, corruption, insecurity, bills, uncontrolled prices, exploitation, terrorism, sectarianism, (one needs sifarish)…. When officials needs sifarish what would be the condition of the poor masses? Lamha-i-fikr Environment of Offices: political interference  Boss and Subordinate….(masters and slaves)…  intellectual and psychological hammering chali hey rasm k koi na sar utha k chaley  Can we change this environment? Yes if you start change at home….. Work for coming generations (apney hissey da kam ker jao)… Teachers can perform…. Private sectors can perform a lot (if they pursue honest deal)/MERITOCRACY.  EDUCATION PERFORMS TO RESTRUCTURE THE SOCIETY 1. Non-interference of Political groups…in transfer, posting, grant, contracts, etc. 2. Imported systems be made compatible with local thought 3. Provincial Syllabi must include others’ cultural share 4. Ensure Rule of Law (PRODUCE nationalist mindset of people and officials) … 5. End Demoralizing Bureaucracy (1. rift between provincial and Central services 2. grouping with cadres, 3. Martial laws 4. Collaboration with politicians, 5. corruption) 6. Produce Political leadership (root cause and most decisive factor… Local Govt System be strengthened) 7. Honest and Talented Human resource…. End Corruption and lawlessness 8. Curb Religious extremism (Sectarianism and anti-minority and anti-state moves)…. Interfaith harmony 9. Regional leadership/Parties: Only party contesting election in all fed. units 10. Media as social awareness (not as pillar of government) 11. Inter-Marriages be promoted between regional identities 12. Ensure Merit in universities and other state departments 13. Documented Economy: border politics, business, fraud, affect relation/trade