Curriculum does not properly reflect our local culture: experts

Say there is need to establish centre of excellence in city

MULTAN: School curriculum does not include aspects of our local culture which undermines pride and identity.

In a bid to alleviate this gap, local artisans and practitioners should be linked to schools, heritage education should be introduced, special resource material should be developed for teachers and students in local languages and informative programmes related to the culture should be organised in schools.

These views were expressed by experts while addressing a seminar on ‘Culture my Responsibility’ organised by Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) on Friday.

MCCI Senior Vice-President Bakhtawar Tanvir Sheikh, Secretary General Khurram Javed Butt, Dr Sofia Omar, Ammara Manzoor, Tayyaba Batool, Muhammad Ali Wasti and others attended the event.

On the occasion, Tanvir Sheikh said, “There is a dire need to establish a centre of excellence in the city to preserve the cultural heritage and attract tourists. Multan holds an historic importance as it is one of the ancient cities of the sub-continent.”

He said by focusing on creating awareness amongst the general public, such an intervention will prove vital in creating a local database of cultural assets, which could be easily accessible to the people. “The centre can then be used to promote cultural assets using the electronic and print media to reveal the hidden treasures of the nation,” he added.

Meanwhile, MCCI Secretary General Khurram Javed Butt said the transfer of cultural knowledge is weak in the present formal system of education. Mechanisms should be devised for income opportunities for the most marginalised and vulnerable groups in the community.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2017.