What's new

How Bias in Text books fuels division in Pakistani society

98% Pakistanis are muslim. Islam teaches us unity and tolerance. Secular BS will destroy our society. There is a reason we are not as F'ed up as our neighbour.
Map shows world's most racist countries (and the answers may surprise you) | Daily Mail Online
What rasicm has to do with biased text book?
America: Attack on blacks shows how tolerant they are.
Attack on sikh...calling them osama binladen ....even their SF has killed him ...they tease...Is this tolerance for author?
Britain?..are you kidding me... Same goes to australia...My uncle is short and has mongolian features ( his fore fathers are from burma) He was called as "chinese" / "copy cat..... don't show him you work ..he will copy it"..While he was doing PHD in australia...you should have read comments given in your link before posting.
every nation has their view..so there is no reason for rasing this topic.

I dont see pakistani text book biased ...since no one has complaint against it.It means every one is ok with it.
 
.
What rasicm has to do with biased text book?
America: Attack on blacks shows how tolerant they are.
Attack on sikh...calling them osama binladen ....even their SF has killed him ...they tease...Is this tolerance for author?
Britain?..are you kidding me... Same goes to australia...My uncle is short and has mongolian features ( his fore fathers are from burma) He was called as "chinese" / "copy cat..... don't show him you work ..he will copy it"..While he was doing PHD in australia...you should have read comments given in your link before posting.
every nation has their view..so there is no reason for rasing this topic.

I dont see pakistani text book biased ...since no one has complaint against it.It means every one is ok with it.
Racism was taught in America and other western countries till 60s via books. Famous scientists and researchers had their books published justifying supremacy of white race while degrading Blacks. Now they learn racism at home or through Fox Tv.
 
.
On a side note, the Indian education system has almost no anti- Islamic or anti Pakistan content.
Even the wars are mentioned in passing.
Our anti Pakistan views come from the news.
 
Last edited:
.
Show me where it is distorting history...Not everyone learns indian version of history!

I don't think you care about how you appear when you do this falsification nonsense. Keep asking for proof as if you don't know it exists. The fact that people here are interacting with you despite that shows what is wrong with Pakistani education.

From Dawn:

‘Pakistan schools teach Hindu hatred’

Updated Oct 01, 2014 08:27pm

ISLAMABAD: Text books in Pakistani schools foster prejudice and intolerance of Hindus and other religious minorities, while most teachers view non-Muslims as ''enemies of Islam,'' according to a study by a US government commission released on Wednesday.

The findings indicate how deeply ingrained hard-line Islam is in Pakistan and help explain why militancy is often supported, tolerated or excused in the country.

''Teaching discrimination increases the likelihood that violent religious extremism in Pakistan will continue to grow, weakening religious freedom, national and regional stability, and global security,'' said Leonard Leo, the chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Pakistan was created in 1947 as a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia and was initially envisaged as a moderate state where minorities would have full rights.

But three wars with mostly Hindu India; support for militants fighting Soviet-rule in Afghanistan in the 1980s; and the appeasement of hard-line clerics by weak governments seeking legitimacy have led to a steady radicalisation of society.

Religious minorities and those brave enough to speak out against intolerance have often been killed, seemingly with impunity, by militant sympathizers.

The commission warned that any significant efforts to combat religious discrimination, especially in education, would ''likely face strong opposition'' from hardliners.

The study reviewed more than 100 textbooks from grades 1-10 from Pakistan's four provinces.

Researchers in February this year visited 37 public schools, interviewing 277 students and teachers, and 19 madrases, where they interviewed 226 students and teachers.

The Islamisation of textbooks began under the US-backed rule of army dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, who courted Islamists to support his rule.

In 2006, the government announced plans to reform the curriculum to address the problematic content, but that has not been done, the study said.

Pakistan's Islamist and right-wing polity would likely oppose any efforts to change the curriculum, and the government has shown no desire to challenge them on the issue.

The report found systematic negative portrayals of minorities, especially Hindus and to a lesser extent to Christians.

Hindus make up more than one per cent of Pakistan's 180 million people, while Christians represent around two per cent. Some estimates put the numbers higher.

There are also even smaller populations of Sikhs and Buddhists.

''Religious minorities are often portrayed as inferior or second-class citizens who have been granted limited rights and privileges by generous Pakistani Muslims, for which they should be grateful,'' the report said.

''Hindus are repeatedly described as extremists and eternal enemies of Islam whose culture and society is based on injustice and cruelty, while Islam delivers a message of peace and brotherhood, concepts portrayed as alien to the Hindu.''

The books don't contain many specific references to Christians, but those that ''that do exist seem generally negative, painting an incomplete picture of the largest religious minority in Pakistan,'' the report said.

Attempts to reach Pakistan's education minister were not successful.

The textbooks make very little reference to the role played by Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in the cultural, military and civic life of Pakistan, meaning ''a young minority student will thus not find many examples of educated religious minorities in their own textbooks,'' the report said.

''In most cases historic revisionism seems designed to exonerate or glorify Islamic civilisation, or to denigrate the civilisations of religious minorities,'' the report said.

''Basic changes to the texts would be needed to present a history free of false or unsubstantiated claims which convey religious bias.''

The researchers also found that the books foster a sense that Pakistan's Islamic identity is under constant threat.

''The anti-Islamic forces are always trying to finish the Islamic domination of the world,'' read one passage from social studies text being taught to Grade 4 students in Punjab province, the country's most populated.

''This can cause danger for the very existence of Islam. Today, the defense of Pakistan and Islam is very much in need.''

The report states that Islamic teachings and references were commonplace in compulsory text books, not just religious ones, meaning Pakistan's Christians, Hindus and other minorities were being taught Islamic content.

It said this appeared to violate Pakistan's constitution, which states that students should not have to receive instruction in a religion other than their own.

The attitudes of the teachers no doubt reflect the general intolerance in Pakistan.

The 2011 Pew Research Center study found the country is the third most intolerant in the world, but because of the influence they have, they are especially worrisome.

Their views were frequently nuanced and sometimes contradictory.

On a side note, the Indian education system has almost no anti- Islamic or anti Pakistan content.
Even the wars are mentioned in passing.
Our anti Pakistan views cine from the news.

Yes, and I challenge the Pakistanis on this forum to prove otherwise. Our education system, unlike yours, is not based on lies and hate.
 
.
I don't think you care about how you appear when you do this falsification nonsense. Keep asking for proof as if you don't know it exists. The fact that people here are interacting with you despite that shows what is wrong with Pakistani education.

From Dawn:

‘Pakistan schools teach Hindu hatred’

As long as the curriculum serves Pakistan's needs as determined by its leaders, what is the issue here?
 
.
As long as the curriculum serves Pakistan's needs as determined by its leaders, what is the issue here?

- It encourage false notions.
- It sows the seeds of chauvinism and false sense of superiority.
- It leads to mutual distrust and enmity between community.
- Ii destroys rather than supports the nation-building process, contrary to your claim.
- It engenders enmity towards minorities and other nations.
- It engenders support for terrorism in the name of Jihad.
- It undermines rational thinking.
- It undermines the spirit of scientific enquiry.
- It undermines the ability of critical and impartial analysis.
- It glosses over gross failures and justifies failures, thereby preventing course-correction.
- It leads to skewered priorities like military prowess over socio-economic progress.
 
.
- It encourage false notions.
- It sows the seeds of chauvinism and false sense of superiority.
- It leads to mutual distrust and enmity between community.
- Ii destroys rather than supports the nation-building process, contrary to your claim.
- It engenders enmity towards minorities and other nations.
- It engenders support for terrorism in the name of Jihad.
- It undermines rational thinking.
- It undermines the spirit of scientific enquiry.
- It undermines the ability of critical and impartial analysis.
- It glosses over gross failures and justifies failures, thereby preventing course-correction.
- It leads to skewered priorities like military prowess over socio-economic progress.

That might be your view, but as long as the Pakistanis are okay with what they have, what is the issue, again?
 
.
- It encourage false notions.
- It sows the seeds of chauvinism and false sense of superiority.
- It leads to mutual distrust and enmity between community.
- Ii destroys rather than supports the nation-building process, contrary to your claim.
- It engenders enmity towards minorities and other nations.
- It engenders support for terrorism in the name of Jihad.
- It undermines rational thinking.
- It undermines the spirit of scientific enquiry.
- It undermines the ability of critical and impartial analysis.
- It glosses over gross failures and justifies failures, thereby preventing course-correction.
- It leads to skewered priorities like military prowess over socio-economic progress.
I think we shouldn't concern ourselves with what they teach their kids, the consequences of the teachings (whether right or wrong) are also none of our business.
Many of the points/ideas you mentioned are also ingrained through religious study of the Quran, and not only school text books.
 
.
how you appear when you do this falsification nonsense.
For a someone with no relation on the subject it is laughable you say such things to another!

ingrained through religious study of the Quran
another illiterate in the subject jumping to make himself look like a fool :tsk:

Honestly i think you are spending way more time on pdf than normal beings you need some time off from this place
:rofl:

Typical answer of a person who cant think and attacks another for pushing them to think :tsk:

How much time I spend where is as irrelevant as the number of indians on this site :enjoy:
 
.
I think we shouldn't concern ourselves with what they teach their kids, the consequences of the teachings (whether right or wrong) are also none of our business.

That is the correct way to look at this issue, since every nation determine what it wants to teach its coming generations, equally.
 
.
That might be your view, but as long as the Pakistanis are okay with what they have, what is the issue, again?

Okay, but where is your proof that a) Pakistanis are okay with it. b) that it serves Pakistan's long-term interests, and c) that people who are directly/indirectly affected by this hate-mongering have no stake in the matter.

The hate-mongering content and brainwashing in Pakistani education will never erase the bitter enmity that many Pakistanis feel towards India. How is it in Pakistan's interest to foment a fight-to-death with India?

I think we shouldn't concern ourselves with what they teach their kids, the consequences of the teachings (whether right or wrong) are also none of our business.
Many of the points/ideas you mentioned are also ingrained through religious study of the Quran, and not only school text books.

On the other hand, it concerns us a lot. Where do you think the Pakistani establishment's audacity to make nuclear MAD threats arises from? They are cocooned in the sanctuary of hateful brainwashing of the Pakistani masses. Where else (except for North Korea), would public opinion not be against an establishment that repeatedly puts the nations very existence on the line.

The same logic applies to state-sponsor of terrorism. Covert terror operations are a part of international intelligence and realpolitik. But are there any other countries where there is widespread support for state-sponsoring of terrorism against one particular adversary?
 
.
Okay, but where is your proof that a) Pakistanis are okay with it. b) that it serves Pakistan's long-term interests, and c) that people who are directly/indirectly affected by this hate-mongering have no stake in the matter.

The hate-mongering content and brainwashing in Pakistani education will never erase the bitter enmity that many Pakistanis feel towards India. How is it in Pakistan's interest to foment a fight-to-death with India?

A) There is no widespread clamor for changing the curriculum.

B) It already has served Pakistan's interest as determined by its leaders for nearly three-quarters of a century. Why mess with something that is shown to work, not ideally, but at least reasonably well?

C) Of course, India, if it is effected by the outcomes of these sorts of policies, has a right to respond, but governed by rules which cover such conduct between sovereign nations. For example, look at textbooks in South Korea and Japan, and how they are dealing with such issues.
 
.
For a someone with no relation on the subject it is laughable you say such things to another!

You asked for an example where Pakistani school syllabus teaches hate. I gave it to you. You should keep quite at this point, and not proudly flaunt your ignorance/deception.

There is no widespread clamor for changing the curriculum.

B) It already has served Pakistan's interest as determined by its leaders for nearly three-quarters of a century. Why mess with something that is shown to work, not ideally, but at least reasonably well?

Clamour for change is never "widespread". Academic syllabi, by their very nature, are a subject that interests very few people, mainly academics themselves. Please do a study of the material available on the internet or in published books on the subject of Pakistani intellectual's response to what is currently taught in Pakistani schools. They are certainly clamouring for change. This is not an issueover which you will see mass protests. So do not use that yardstick. Also, these academics/intellectuals are probably better positioned to understand Pakistan's long-term interests better than its leaders. Pakistan has allowed its leaders to dictate where it goes, and that has not led it to a very good place. It is time it listens to its intellectuals.
 
.
You asked for an example where Pakistani school syllabus teaches hate. I gave it to you. You should keep quite at this point, and not proudly flaunt your ignorance/deception.
Personal attack just shows you have no idea what you are saying and are just proudly flaunting your own deception/ignorance

@Secur the same source is being quoted as usual and now the source cant even be found :rofl:
 
.
Clamour for change is never "widespread". Academic syllabi, by their very nature, are a subject that interests very few people, mainly academics themselves. Please do a study of the material available on the internet or in published books on the subject of Pakistani intellectual's response to what is currently taught in Pakistani schools. They are certainly clamouring for change. This is not an issueover which you will see mass protests. So do not use that yardstick. Also, these academics/intellectuals are probably better positioned to understand Pakistan's long-term interests better than its leaders. Pakistan has allowed its leaders to dictate where it goes, and that has not led it to a very good place. It is time it listens to its intellectuals.

Good point, since it is obvious that you are ignoring the rather large body of academicians and intellectuals who favor the present curricula. When those clamoring for change gain more influence than their opposing side, then change will be forthcoming as well, but not before. When you say that Pakistan allowed its leaders to dictate where it goes, all I can say is that is what leaders do, by definition. Whether it is a very good place or not also depends on which side of the border one's viewpoints come from, and again, debatable.
 
.

Pakistan Affairs Latest Posts

Back
Top Bottom