Examining the role of curriculum in determining tolerance levels of students in conflict affected areas: Evidence from Pakistan

• In Event: The Role of Curricula in Shaping Student Outcomes

Proposal

During the past decade, there has been an increased emphasis on the importance of peace education. The critical role of curriculum in promoting peace has been acknowledged by well renowned practitioners and scholars in the field. While the potential of using curriculum to counter the increasing intolerance is discussed at several global forums each year, we have seen little progress at the policy level.
Pakistan is one of the most conflict ridden countries in the world ranked 152 on the Global Peace Index 2016. Overtime, people are becoming less tolerant toward others belonging to a different ethnicity, sect, religion, gender, nationality, language or culture. This paper delves deeper into the role of the curriculum and national policies which have inculcated intolerance among the youth. The paper conducts a textbook analysis on the content, context and use of language in addressing tolerance/intolerance and middle and secondary school schools The paper also examines a youth led initiative for peacebuilding which conducted activity-based workshops with secondary school students in Punjab, Pakistan. The workshops focused on the core ideas of tolerance, empathy and co-existence. A difference in difference model is used to analyze data for 120 students in a randomized control trial as a potential solution to decrease intolerance in the society.

Authors

• Sarah Mirza, Stanford University

• Sunair Zakir Hassan, Stanford University