11 Importance of Personality Development and Learning Environment For Deradicalization in Pakistan
11 Importance of Personality Development and Learning Environment For Deradicalization in Pakistan
Introduction
Pakistan‟s strength lies in the diversity of its cultures, languages, beliefs, terrain and
cuisine. This diversity also prevails in education system, ranging from private
institutions in mega-cities to public-sector institutions in rural Sind, Punjab, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. These institutions provide an environment extending
from fashionably innovative to traditionally entrenched people of this country. It is
assumed that each kind of institution would have a direct effect on the quality of
learning and its product, i.e., students.1 According to various research studies,
classroom milieu is one of the significant elements in a student's accomplishment. In
Pakistan, the published data is not sufficient or lacks to define how learning
environment differs from one institution to other. Also, how this environment affects
a student's achievement, growth and personality is not undertaken.
Shahid Yaqub Abbasi is a PhD scholar in the Department of Education at Islamia University,
Bahawalpur and Ali Basit is an independent researcher.
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Many policies and strategic plans have been implemented since the beginning, but
could not achieve the desired results. Till the 18th amendment in the constitution,
which announced education as the fundamental human right, there was very little
changes observed.3 Enormous problems of access to education system, inequality of
opportunity and infrastructure remained common. The issues being faced by the
nation are the by-product of negligent attitude of policymakers towards education
system. In order to fill this vacuum, new educational policies must be introduced
and implemented by involving all the stakeholders including parents, teachers,
principals, researchers, intellectuals, educationists and renowned academicians.
The natural factors that apply weights on our personality development are the
way of life in which we are raised, our initial moulding, family standards, social
gatherings and different impacts that we encounter. Nature to which we are
uncovered, assumes a generous part in moulding our personalities. Personality, as
indicated by the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, is the entire nature
or character of a man.5 It expounds that how a man acts, feels and considers, and
how he acts in a given arrangement of conditions is to a great extent dictated by the
condition of his psyche. Insignificant outer appearance or a man's discourse or
peculiarities are just edges of one's personality. Personality development in the true
sense alludes to further levels of a man. Hence, an investigation of our personality
should begin from an unmistakable handling of the ideas of our brain, and how it
capacitates.
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education system of Pakistan does not take it into account and neglects profile
building of students as productive and responsible members of a modern society.
This problem relates directly with the curriculum being taught in educational
institutions. The contents of curriculum, being taught to students, have vital
importance as education is not just the content of textbooks poured into students‟
minds like empty barrel, rather its main purpose is grooming, character building and
personality development that educates, trains and grooms young minds.
Today, Pakistan is confronted with various issues like poverty, fear based
oppression, sectarianism, and radicalization. The major causes are illiteracy, lack of
appropriate education system, and unawareness developed by inadequate learning
opportunities. These essentials of a befitting learning-framework are neglected
altogether in Pakistan. There are some other factors, which causes uncertainty in
Pakistan, but weak education system is one of the most contributing factors. Thus,
Pakistan‟s education system is having multifarious weaknesses and extended
problems.
During the last 70 years, numerous policies and plans have been implemented
in Pakistan, yet the most pivotal is Education sector, whose multi-natured problems
are still waiting for suitable and speedy solutions. These problems include ill-
planned policies, allocation of insufficient funds, deficiency of physical
infrastructure, weak examination system, untrained and inexperience teachers,
continuous political obstruction, obsolete educational programs, poor
administration and supervision, absence of research-work, and inadequate training
facilities. Keeping in mind the end goal to address these issues, there is a dire need to
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choice left behind is either poorly managed public schools or madrassahs, where
education is either less expensive or free. Resultantly, these madrassahs churn out
yet another class that is usually unaware of the world outside their own.
In Pakistan, the emphasis is usually given on quantity than quality. The same
approach is also reflected in curricula, which is not based on true objectives,
resultantly, students are unable to develop their thinking-power. It has also broken
linkages with practical life, due to which students face difficulties while interacting
with the society. Our national survival in terms of economic uplift, boost in defence
and scientific revolution is entirely depended upon the kind and quality of education,
we deliver to our children. In this regard, curricula are still lacking behind the
international standards, and also not promoting the students‟ interest in practical
and scientific fields.
Another sour point is the examination system, which is to test the students‟
innate knowledge and standard of academic learning. Continuous malpractices and
usage of unfair means in examinations, have almost spoiled the set objectives and its
outcome. The issue of unfair means has deep-rooted concern for the invigilators,
students, parents and examination boards. Pupils look upon a degree as an
identification to work, which can be obtained on the off chance that you pay the cost.
Sadly, parents do not discourage their children in utilizing unfair practices to pass
the examination, however, the most worrisome is that our educationists have
likewise been polluted by the toxic substance of this underhandedness. The corrupt
practices are not only spoiling the set objectives of education in the country, but also
promoting the culture of uncertainty, chaos and criticism.
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pay special attention towards teaching-learning process and develop trust and
harmony among their students. This trust further leads to true participation and
attraction towards positive learning and establishes safe and supported
environment. In order to create healthy environment, teacher‟s role is the most
crucial and pivotal. It starts with the self-reflection, proper planning and continuous
dynamism, while implementing the set objectives and curricula. Few strategies may
be considered for creating conducive teaching-learning environment in a classroom:
Know Yourself
Knowing yourself is the ultimate reality to pursue specific goals and plans. Before
going into planning phase, the teachers need to know themselves in depth about
their beliefs, values, behaviour, and attitudes. The students‟ personality is shaped
simultaneously with the reflection of their teachers‟ conduct and behaviour.
Be Interested in Thoughts
Creativity is the hallmark of quality learning. Ideas, critical thinking and imaginative
thoughts are originated from anyone. It is a sure-fire way to keep your students
inspired as well.
Teaching–Learning Environment
Customize Learning
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In order to assess the set objectives and goals, it is important to distinguish „good
students‟ from the „good thinkers‟. Clinical-testing techniques are considered to be
little out-fashioned. Students should be clear about their testing procedures.
There are number of teaching-learning approaches available and the learners should
get an opportunity to get benefit from them. A creative approach leads to better
learning and critical thinking; therefore, innovative techniques and brainstorming
sessions are helpful for students‟ learning.
Regular interaction between teachers and students is a healthy sign with addition of
critical thinking and curiosity. This is the best identification of teaching-learning
environment as well the teachers‟ effectiveness. Students should be encouraged to
rediscover themselves with the habit of inquiring and asking questions.
The existing system does not provide any social, spiritual and political need
of the society.
It does not inculcate unity, patriotism and desire for a welfare state in young
minds.
It does not promote cultural and ethical norms and religious tolerance.
It does not create responsible members for the society.
Allocation of funds for the education sector does not guarantee transparent
spending on educational projects.
Lack of trained teaching-staff, because of poor intake and politicised
induction system, directly affects the quality of teachers.
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Methodical Reforms
Reforms must be specific and methodical in nature, highlighting the set areas and
addressing the key issues simultaneously. The areas, which can bring into focus, may
be economy, fiscal resources, governance, human resources, infrastructure, curricula
and delivery. These areas are interwoven and in case of leaving any one of them may
hinder the long-term objectives.
Standards of Excellence
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Classroom Environment
Teachers Training
Quality Enhancement
The quality of education needs to be improved. It should not rest upon the
achievement of high numerical values. For this, our institutions must provide
conducive environment that supports and promotes creative learning, and focus
should be on finding answers of the questions that are or likely to be posed by
present and future and not of the yester years.
Expenditure on Education
Presently, the overall investment in education sector is at 2.2% of the GDP, while
investment in the higher education stands at 15% of this outlay. The investment in
the education sector needs to be enhanced. Ideally, in the next four years, this
investment needs to be 4% of GDP in which there should be 18-20% rise in the share
of higher education. This is important because various developed countries dedicate
nearly 17% of their budget to education sector. 11
Medium of Instructions
Absence of a uniform education system is yet another issue. Currently, there are
three main systems: English-medium schools, Urdu-medium schools, and religious
Madrassas. Each one of them has their own methodologies and subsequent products
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resulted into social division and in some cases conflicts. Therefore, there is a dire
need to introduce a uniform system of education for all citizens.
Improved Curricula
Research Initiatives
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Conclusion
Endnotes
1
OECD. Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI). "Highlights from ‘Education
at a glance 2009'.
2
Mughal, Justice R. Dr, and Munir Ahmad. "Two Nation Theory: In the Light of the Speeches
of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah." (2012).
3
Siddiqui, Shahid. "18th amendment and education." Retrieved January 4 (2010): 2013.
4
Opentextbc.ca. (2017). A.2 What is a learning environment? | Teaching in a Digital Age.
[online] Available at: https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/chapter/5-2-what-is-a-
learning-environment/ [Accessed 16 Oct. 2017].
5
Mayor, Michael, ed. Longman dictionary of contemporary English. Pearson Education India,
2009.
6
Judge, Timothy A., Chad A. Higgins, Carl J. Thoresen, and Murray R. Barrick. "The big five
personality traits, general mental ability, and career success across the life span." Personnel
psychology 52, no. 3 (1999): 621-652.
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Importance of Personality Development and Learning Environment
7
Buss, Arnold H., and Robert Plomin. Temperament (PLE: Emotion): Early developing
personality traits. Vol. 3. Psychology Press, 2014.
8
Benz, Andreas. "The Crisis of School Education in Pakistan. Of Government's Failure and
New Hopes in the Growing Private Education Sector." International Asianforum 43, no. 3-4
(2016): 223-244.
9Understand the Federal Budget 2017-18 - Daily Times. [online] Daily Times. Available at:
http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/07-Jun-17/understand-the-federal-budget-2017-18
[Accessed 16 Oct. 2017].
10
Ahmar, Moonis. "The challenge of extremism in Pakistan: Are there lessons to be learnt
from the experience of Singapore." IPRI Journal 11, no. 2 (2011): 44-63.
11
World Bank (2013). "World Development Indicators 2013." Washington, D.C.: World Bank.
http://data.worldbank.org. Accessed October, 2013.http://data.worldbank.org/data-
catalog/world-development-indicators
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