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In the case of Pakistan, political power came in the hands of the former but the power wielders made it sure that the other extreme—religious extremists, are manipulated to the advantage of those who hold power. All the economic, political and social institutions were formed to give power either to the former or the latter and the schooling run by both the extremes perpetuates the status quo. The ‘culture of silence’ was an inevitable consequence. This culture comes into being when the people are manipulated through different techniques to accept the interpretation of a reality imposed by a person or by a group of persons. Sophisticated methods of mental and emotional control are used to ensure the obedience, submission and sub-ordination of the common people. Participation of common people in the activities and institutions of state and society becomes simply a far-cry. The motive behind the development of this culture is usually keeping the status quo for the vested interest. This is, in fact, anathema to the basic concepts of freedom and democracy.
No one in his sane mind would suggest that the modern schooling system be abolished altogether but one definitely would like to suggest that indigenous knowledge, culture and language should be incorporated in the educational systems worldwide, especially in this ‘land of the pure’. This is the shift of the whole paradigm. Cosmetic treatment of the issue has done badly than good to the whole structure and system of education in Pakistan. The students have to compete in the global market. This is the need of 21st century. The needs of the 21sr century cannot be addressed with the mindset of the mediaeval and colonized concepts and techniques. This necessitates a strategy in and outside the classroom, which should develop the faculties of free enquiry, rational approach and the habit of sharing. Otherwise the masses will remain disempowered as they were in the colonial era. Harvard Professors Rosovsky and Bloom have given the following criteria of an educated person in the 21st century. A person, in their view, is educated when he/she:
• Can think and write clearly, effectively, and critically, and who can communicate with precision, cogency and force.
• Has a critical appreciation of the ways in which we gain knowledge and understanding of the universe, of society and of ourselves.
• Has a broad knowledge of other cultures and other times, and is able to take decision based on reference to the wider world and to the historical forces that have shaped it.
• Has some understanding of and experience in thinking systematically about moral and ethical problems.
• Has achieved depth in some field of knowledge
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Writer Profile
Khadim Hussain
Khadim Hussain, an Islamabad based academic, is a PhD in linguistics having research interests in endangerment of languages, political theory, cultural studies and discourse analysis.
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