Pluralistic society: Govt asked to encourage inclusive education
To allow for a pluralistic and diverse society.
Participants of a national consultation have urged the government to adopt ‘inclusionary’ policies in the educational sector to allow for a pluralistic and diverse society.
Civil society members, government functionaries, academicians and other experts took part in the deliberation, which called for inclusive education to accommodate the marginalised groups, minorities and special persons.
Campaign Manager for Alif Ailaan Mosharraf Zaidi gave a presentation on out-of-school children, saying that many families from poor backgrounds make a conscious choice not to send their children to schools due to high costs and the poor quality of education in schools. They think that their children will end up getting no good jobs.
Physicist and curriculum reform activist Dr Abdul Hameed Nayyar asked the government to “work towards reducing the prevalence and emphasis of religion on the national curriculum, as it only serves to alienate non-Muslim students”.
“We need to also address the madrassa system and their curriculum and method of instruction should strictly be monitored to ensure pluralism and tolerance”.
“It is time the civil society and policymakers work together towards ensuring an education policy that is sensitive to the needs of various communities and groups within Pakistan,” stated Zehra Arshad, national coordinator at the Pakistan Coalition for Education.
The speakers stressed the need to provide quality education to all groups without discrimination.
National Institution for Special Education Director.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2014.