KARACHI:
PM Imran Khan wants to introduce a uniform education curriculum, which is indeed a wise step. However, his emphasis upon making learning of Arabic as a compulsory subject will not serve to bring about radical change in the moral values of our children. School going children should be taught moral and ethical sciences as a subject, from the context of religion. These stories should be drafted in such a manner that it makes it easy for children to digest the intended message.
This is the subject that should be made compulsory till the primary level. Muslim students should learn kalimas with emphasis on their meaning, and by the age of 11 years they must know how to say their prayers. Over the past few decades, there has been a visible decline in the moral and ethical values of our country. From the 1980s onwards, this decadence has become more pronounced. There was a time in this country when government officials, both civil and uniformed, would be seen riding Raleigh bicycles and any person living beyond his means, tainted with allegations of corruption, would be scorned by society.
Integrity, honesty and commitment to the country was considered a virtue. Land grabbing mafias were very rare. Women could travel without fear of harassment and sexual molestations. Reports of adulteration in essential food items was scarce and shopkeepers would ensure that their weighing scales were of standard specifications. The state focused on their primary role of providing justice, security of life and property.
Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2021.
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