Teachers’ Engagement

Producing inquisitive, knowledgeable society can help counter extremism

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CVE Consultation-9 Any attempt to counter extremism from the society cannot ignore reform in the education sector. This much is repeatedly stressed. A working group has suggested that any measure aimed at reforming measure should aim at achieving knowledge-based society.  Only then can individuals be engaged be more immune to the monolithic messaging of militants. … Read more

‘Critical thinking will help build inclusive society’

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Teachers should encourage critical thinking in classrooms so that students can ask questions about the world around them. The state, too, should invest in social sciences. These will, in the long run, help nurture an inclusive narrative in the country. These were some of the key points discussed at the launch of the study by … Read more

Informed debate should be part of alternative discourse: PIPS Seminar

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To counter the discourse sympathetic to extremism, there is a need for an alternative discourse built on informed debate, research, and realities grounded in present-day. There were some of the common points discussed by leading national experts, at launch of two studies of Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think-tank. One of the … Read more

“Teachers should learn how to engage with students of diverse faiths”

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PIPS workshop with teachers and educationists-III One of the central challenges to teachers of Islamic studies is how to engage with the diversity around them. Curriculum with questionable content, for sure, is one thing, but equally important is for teachers to learn and practice the ways to engage and sensitively reach out to students from … Read more

Teachers asked to adopt critical thinking and an inclusive educational approach

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PIPS workshop with teachers and educationists-II Teachers need to adopt tools of critical inquiry in their own research as well as in teaching others. This will help them keep their teaching content and approaches uninfluenced by political and religious ideologies. While our textbooks and syllabus promote differences among students adhering to different faiths, teachers can … Read more

‘Safeguarding minorities will promote Pakistan’s soft image in world’

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PIPS workshop with teachers and educationists-I Renowned educationists and scholars argued that followers of the majority faith do not have the right to impose their ideologies on minorities. Instead, they say, protecting minorities and their rights is the way to go, which will also help build a better, softer image of Pakistan. “The day we … Read more

Dialogue must for inter-faith social harmony

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To promote social harmony in Pakistan, it is essential to hold inter-faith and intra-faith dialogues at national and global levels. The world over, different faiths call for upholding humanity; what is needed is following on such messages. These thoughts were shared in a one-day training workshop in Karachi organized by Pak Institute for Peace Studies … Read more