School of tomorrow: Experts urge including arts, music, Chinese in curricula

Two-day festival draws to a close

ISLAMABAD: The Beaconhouse School of Tomorrow event envisioning a better future came to a close on Sunday after discussions, presentations and talks on a wide array of social and developmental issues over two days.

Issues debated on Sunday in over 20 concurrent sessions at the Pak-China Friendship Centre ranged from gender issues to media, heritage, poetry, education reform, cyber-crime and cyber-security, sports and the socio-economic impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Scientist and educationist Dr Attaur Rehman emphasised that science today presents a myriad of opportunities for research and exciting career opportunities in diverse fields.  In another session, eminent poets and Urdu language writers concluded that literature was the catalyst for society’s good behaviour.

In a session on ‘Art Without Boundaries’, veteran classical dancer Sheema Kirmani joined other panellists in bemoaning the restrictions on freedom of expression in the country. They suggested that art and its various dimensions should be included in the school curriculum.

In a heated debate on foreign aid for various sectors in the session on ‘Aid for Pakistan? No thanks!’ the stance emerged that Pakistan should not accept aid from other countries. A majority in the audience also voted against accepting aid. It was unanimously agreed that resources, both internal and external, have not been invested and used strategically in recent years.

In a session titled ‘Music Matters’, panellists urged to include music and its studies in school curricula.

“Music is just like physics and chemistry, it’s just another discipline. Nothing mystical about it,” said singer Tina Sani.

In a session on ‘CPEC and the future of the region’, panelists highlighted the need for reviewing the short-term and the long-term implications of China’s global “One Belt One Road”.

“Now China is galloping ahead and the world needs to recognise the need; Pakistan must follow suit or be left behind,” said journalist Rasheed Rehman. He added that there was a need to bridge the gap between Pakistani and Chinese culture, along with making the Chinese language a part of the curriculum in all educational institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2017.