By: Ahmed Umer Sohaib
The debate on Single National Curriculum (NSC) is gaining momentum in social and academic circles. This debate should go on in a society like ours where arguments and rationale seldom find space. Through webinars, pubic discussions, social and electronic media, the proponents and critics of SNC have openly expressed their notions. Now the onus lies on National Curriculum Council devised by Ministry of Federal Education to absorb criticism and incorporate suggestions in SNC where it deem necessary.
To rescue the sinking civic pulse of the nation, government must introduce civic education as a compulsory part of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools.
Although concerted efforts have been put in designing SNC but are we certain about making our students more responsible citizens with adequate civic knowledge? SNC might instill in our students the latest scientific knowledge through modern learning tools but does it also guarantee the inculcation of democratic norms, awareness of constitutional rights, pluralistic approach, and civic responsibilities?
Whenever dictatorial rule was imposed in Pakistan, the constitution has paid the price. In the absence of constitution, citizens cannot claim their constitutional rights. The culture of debate is discouraged, political process is turned anemic, leaves behind a society that doesn’t question and takes least interest in democratic process. Contrary, in Pakistan’s juvenile democracy, the extent of civic education being taught in curriculum books is also inadequate and flawed. Resultantly, a major chunk of our society is unaware of its basic fundamental rights (Article 9 to 28) enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan. In times of existential crises, it is only rights activists who raise their voice for the society.
Responsible citizens make responsible and civilized societies. Such societies articulate about political processes and fundamental rights. In Indonesia and France, civic education is a compulsory subject within the structure of primary school curriculum. Canada has a well-established system of citizenship education for more than a hundred years. This system is strongly connected with education system where it is taught with supporting material and evaluated like STEM subjects. In US, It is requisite for high school students to pass US citizenship exam before graduation. Federal government in the US provides grants for civic education throughout the country.
Germany has a federal agency for civic education that promotes civic education. In addition to the federal agency, 15 of its states, each of their own agencies of civic education. These agencies are independent from the federal agency and subordinated to their respective state governments. Civic education starts at grade 7 and one hour per week is a norm. Topics that are discussed include democracy, politics, law, media, equality, constitutional rights, social relationships, economic system, peacekeeping and international relations.
Compared to these civilized countries, Pakistan relatively has a shoddy system of civic education. Either few topics with rudimentary understanding have been merged in the syllabus of social studies or even if detail has given in case, it has no co-relation with social fabric of Pakistan. Consequently, few topics on civic education couldn’t contribute in strengthening and promoting democratic values and principles in Pakistan.
In Pakistan, children at a very young age are deliberately exposed to propaganda in streets, mosques, schools and homes; whereas, children in the West are exposed to civic education and are taught about preserving the public goods such as environment, public safety, health and obeying traffic regulations. This process leads to a difference in the kind of citizenship reflected by the youth as they grow up. The lack of civic engagement and the failure to protect the public good is an outcome of lack of civic education in Pakistan.
To rescue the sinking civic pulse of the nation, government must introduce civic education as a compulsory part of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools. In 2018, parliament of Pakistan passed a law on civic education, The National Civic Education Commission Act 2018, to promote civic education by creating awareness about fundamental rights and responsibilities of citizens. Its implementation is yet awaiting.
After the Second World War and collapse of Nazism doctrine, a fractious and divided country, Germany transformed its collective national psyche through a robust system of civic education. Pakistan has a chance to shrug off the self-imposed rot of inertia that bedevils our democratic process. For that matter, the government needs to study the model of Germany to implement civic education in curriculum.
Democratic values can take root when the citizens are well conversant with their civic responsibilities. The debate on civic education in Pakistan is in infancy. It is imperative to impart civic education to the younger generation as youth plays an important role in strengthening democracy and rule of law in the country. Democratic values can only be entrenched in the society if the public is aware of their fundamental rights and responsibilities towards the society. If implemented, the National Civic Education Commission Act 2018 will make Pakistan a strong democratic and responsible federation. If not, we are back to square one.
The writer is a lecturer at Superior University Lahore. He is also a youth correspondent to Commonwealth in Pakistan. He can be reached at [email protected]