The school teacher claims the subject of Islamiat was never abandoned. PHOTO: FILE
The issue which triggered after a television show appeared to be critical of the content that was being taught to grade 7 students in two subjects, 'Science;' and 'Comparative Religion' at the Lahore Grammar School 55-Main Gulberg.
The TV show which aired on September 16 reportedly prompted the Punjab government to form a committee for the review of the case which led to the confiscation and banning of all the material found objectionable.
A petition filed at the Lahore High Court by an advocacy rights lawyer Saad Rasool challenged both the banning of the two subjects and the confiscation of textbooks and study materials.
The petition also challenged the legality and the validity of the banning process.
Rasool said, "it's a larger issue - one that pertains to the fundamental right to education, right to intellectual ideas and even censorship."
He also questioned the process whereby it's determined what content is Islamic.
The principal of the school Nasreen Shah issued a letter on September 17 clarifying the stance of the school. The letter stated that the subject called "Comparative Religion" had to do with the "history of religion". The letter maintained that the aim of teaching that subject was to impart information about Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Hinduism.
Shah added that the subject of Islamiat was never abandoned.
The school, in its clarification also stated that the content found objectionable - a chapter on human reproductive system, was never meant to be taught to the class, despite being present in the book.
However, a committee comprising of the secretary schools, chairperson Punjab Textbook Board and chairperson Education Minister took the decision to confiscate the books and materials on the two subjects from all shops.
According to Lahore Grammar School, as many as 120 books have been confiscated.
COMMENTS (14)
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Yep people who are responsible for the current sad state of education in our country judge whatever is useful for the students in private school. I suppose these same people would have been as efficient as in this case, if problem was found in a madrassah subjects.
i think comparative religion should be read at undergrad/postgrad level by less impressionable minds with greater insight into their own religion. it can be very tricky otherwise. there are a million other ways to inculcate tolerance
The so-called defenders of the Western faith Now Wants To Corrupt Our Kids.
Freedom? You Can't Even Post Your Comments Without Moderator Approval.
All NGO's Are Very Very Mad
@Mj: Not every knowledge is worthy for our kids. May be of yours, then please go ahead.
does it really matter,after what these kids are being exposed to, on internet/media??
The so-called defenders of the faith do not want any rationality anywhere in Pakistan - a place that their forefathers tried their best to halt its existence, using any narrative available. It is much easier to brainwash Madrassa students to accept any gobble de gook from these so called defenders of the faith, while other student may challenge their world view. Don't worry, there is a slim chance that LHC would accept the petition, even if they do, Captain Hook is there to block its further progression.
@ashar: @S: @Farhan: Why are conservatives, or regressives I should say, so afraid of knowledge and information?
The school should be given the books back immediately!
wow!!! as if being the TOP 10 countries with the Maximum amount of censorship in the world was not ENOUGH!
Right decision. The curriculum should be controlled accordingly.
I hope LHC rejects the petition. But I am worried some judges in LHC are way too liberal.
The secular goons need to eat the dust of our shoes... we will happily shove them in our caves.