Derogatory, hate material to be eliminated from textbooks: Minister

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said that the government is determined to eliminate derogatory and hate material from textbooks and to give due regard to inclusion and diversity.

He said that the government has examined critically from the best education systems of the world for developing the single national curriculum and has added input shared by relevant stakeholders, including the private sector institutions, and the provinces. 

The minister said, “The existing system perpetuate division among citizens, and Independent education policy experts and government representatives showed consensus on the development of a national curriculum suitable to the inclusion of religious minorities and towards social acceptance of all religions”.  

He was speaking to policy dialogue organized in Islamabad on Tuesday by Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) and Pakistan Coalition for Education.

On the occasion, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology Dr. Qibla Ayaz said that curriculum plays a vital role in promoting inclusion and contribute in building an inclusive society. 

D. Sughra Chaudhry Khan stressed on teaching in classroom without biases and discrimination. Dr. Zia ul Haq underlined that not curriculum or textbooks, but teachers are the most relevant to promote social cohesion and diversity.

Peter Jacob, Executive Director Centre for Social Justice lauded the federal government for recognizing linguistic diversity and giving consideration to the right of students to receive an objective and unbiased education. 

Dr. Baela Raza Jamil and Mosharraf Zaidi underlined that the education system presents a lack of coherence, therefore a shift in the approach and method of education in schools was required to allow educational freedom, life skills and learning needs of the children.