Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, Pakistan

Department of Education

Contemporary Issues and Trends in Education

Fall 2024- BEd Course Outline (Tentative)

Timing: Monday & Friday 9am to 10:40am

Instructor:

Gul Muhammad Rind, Ph.D.

Lecturer, Department of Education

Emil: [email protected]

Phone: +923133142661

Twitter or X: @GulMdRind

Linked in: gul-rind-phd-376411b7/

Office hours: by appointment; flexible schedule

Overview and Goals

Course Description

The field of education is continuously evolving, and it intercepts several fields and issues. The
horizon of education is also expanding with globalization. The main aim of the course is to
provide educators with knowledge about and insight into the pressing issues of today’s global
community. In its curriculum guide, the HEC mentions specific contemporary issues, including
the information explosion, the gap between madrassah and mainstream education, barriers to the
achievement of universal literacy, gender disparities in education, the relationship between the
national curriculum structure and career opportunities, environmental awareness, and the
growing privatization of education. Also, we will discuss how to solve these emerging issues
while applying contextual and social justice perspectives
Learning Goals

 After studying this course, Student Teachers will be able to: examine the
social implications of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
 Identify different issues pertaining to diversity as well as their impact on
student learning.
 State the nature and scope of the factors affecting the quality of schooling.
 Explain how different kinds of schooling affect the quality of schooling.
 Analyze the changing role of the teacher in contemporary society.
 critically evaluate the roles of peace, conflict, and education in the
development of human

society.

Course Requirements and Policies

Readings, Class Participation, and Attendance: It is expected that students will come prepared
and bring questions related to the text to each class and make references to the reading during

class discussions.

Regular, punctual attendance and full class participation are critically important. If you are

unable to attend a class session, you must email in advance. Also please see the attendance
policy of the Sukkur IBA university

In class, I am attentive to and appreciative of comments and questions that you ask and

expect you to be helpful and respectful to your fellow students. Your participation is meant

to facilitate both your learning and that of others. Also, please ensure that the environment is

free from devices/objects that may distract you and your peers, including cell phones,

laptops, etc.

Special Needs: Our purpose is to make the class more inclusive, if any student has any kind of
special need and support feel free to let me know, and I will try my best to accommodate.
Required Books and Resources:

Steger, M (2020). Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford Academic.

Wulff, A. (2020). Grading goal four: Tensions, threats, and opportunities in the Sustainable
Development Goal on quality education (p. 498). Brill.

Goodale, T. (n.d.). Investigating critical and contemporary issues in education.

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Investigating_Critical_%26_Contemporary_Issues_in_Education

Remaining all books, book chapters, and other resources are mentioned in the weekly plan, and
will also be uploaded on LMS.

Assessments and Grading

Sessional Marks (20%)

Students will be asked to write a policy paper (maximum 4 pages) or any news editorial (1000
words maximum) on any educational issues. The instructor would approve selected topics.
Students are also required to present that write-up in front of the class. It is expected that the
paper or editorial should be professionally written and grammatically correct. In addition, it
should be well presented.

Mid-Term Exam (30%)

The midterm paper for MPhil students would be to write research memos on contemporary
issues and trends in education. There would be 05 memos and each memos contain 06 marks.

What are memos? Research memos are 2 page double spaced, 12 pt font, 1-inch margins
reflections of your with regard to any specific topic that we have covered the preceding week.
This is a chance for you to put on paper your ideas, to ask me one key question, and to reflect.
Each memo must address one topic from the course outline that we discussed in class.

Final Exam (50%)

Final Project 50% (Write up 30% and Presentation 20%

Students will be asked to write a policy paper (maximum 5-6 pages). It is expected that the paper should
focus on the various aspects of current educational issues and trends with particular attention to the topics
discussed in the course outline or beyond. Students are also allowed to work on their final year project if
it match with the course. Please seek feedback from the instructor and from fellow students as your ideas
develop and as the project progresses. The final paper should be approximately 05-06 double-spaced
pages, with at least one additional page of references; the majority of references should come from
scholarly, peer-reviewed sources, including course materials.
Additional information:

It is individual based project. We will plan to devote some class time to discussing these
developing interests, to help individuals and groups to select their research project topic by about
end of April.

Presentations should be about 15 minutes long

The final research paper must conform to APA style guidelines.

A suggested way to organize your paper is as follows:

-Introduction (identify the topic and purpose of the paper and establish its importance; describe
what the paper will cover)

-Background/ of educational issues or trends (identify relevant history or literature regarding the
issue or topic, including researchers’ positions)

-Review of Research Literature (summarize research literature that relates to the proposal or
topic)

-Summary/Conclusion (Summarize the content of the paper, emphasizing a conclusion that you
have reached based on the research you have reviewed, and possible implications based on the
background information you have reviewed)

Grading Criteria:

-submission of draft for review by peer/s when due (May 20)

-clarity of writing

-comprehensiveness of review

-sufficient number and quality of articles reviewed (preference peer-reviewed)

-comformity to APA style

-strength of summary

-clarity of in-class presentation

 WEEKLY SCHEDULE (Tentative)

Unit 01. Globalization, the Millennium Development Goals, and Education for All

Week 1

Topics: Concept of Globalization

Role of Globalization in Education and Society

Effect of Globalization on Education and Society

Reading Assignment

Ch. 01. Globalization very short introduction by Steger (2020)

SUÁREZ-OROZCO (2005). Rethinking Education in the Global Era

Week 2

MDGs, EFA, and SDGs

Possible Challenges to achieve SDG-4

Contextual issues in the context of Pakistan

Reading Assignment

UNDP Sustainability on SDGs

Unpacking SDG4

Ch.01. Rethinking an Education: Toward a Global Common Good UNESCO Publishing

Week 3

Topics: Rethinking Education in a Globalized Context

Reaffirming Humanistic Approach in Education
Education as a Common Public Good

Reading Assignment

Finish reading Rethinking an Education: Toward a Global Common Good UNESCO Publishing
Research memo due

Unit 02. Education Policy Reform

Week 4.

Topics: Access to Education

Sustainable Development Goal-4 and EFA

Equity in Education

Reading Assignment

Access challenges to Education in Pakistan: ADB Brief

Banuri (2024) Rescuing Education (from the book of Maleeha Lodhi)

Antonio Wulff. Ch.01 Grading goal 4

Week 5

Topics. Education Aid in Achieving Educational Goals

Role of International Organizations and Development Partners

Partnerships, and Public Private Partnerships

Reading Assignments

Draxler (2022). Ch. 07 in Antoni Wulf Book. Education for All; open for Business

Afridi (2018) Equity and quality in PPPs in Education

Week 6

Topic: Financing SDG-4

Education Markets and Role of Private sector

Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility

Reading Assignments

Ch. 01. Ridge and Terwey (2019). Philanthropy in Education

Archer & Muntasim (2020). Ch. 07 in Antoni Wulf Book. Financing SDG-4

Research memo due

Unit 03. Technology in Education

Week 7

Topics: Can Technology solve challenges in Education

Technology for disadvantaged groups

Education and technology looking to the Future.

Reading Assignment

UNESCO GEM Report 2023. Ch.01 and 02

Ch.08. Neil Swan's book Edu and Technology key issues and Debates

Week 8.

Topics: Technology and Learning

Changing patterns for teachers
Education management and efficiency
Reading Assignment

UNESCO GEM Report 2023. Ch.04, Ch.05, and Ch.06

Research memo due

Unit 04. Issues of Diversity, Democracy and Education

Week 9
Topic. Democracy and Diversity
Accepting differences (political, religious, social, and cultural)
Global citizenship

Reading Assignment
Ch.01. Theoretical foundation of social justice in Adams et al Book
Ch.01. Global citizenship education recognizing diversity.

Week 10
Topic. Language and Ethnicity issues in Education
Gender issue and equality
Assignment(s) Due

Reading Assignment
Durrani & Hallai Ch.03. Gender Equality, Education, and Development.
Mother tongue Education policy in Pakistan by T Rehman

Week 11

Topics. What is Conflict, prejudice, and stereotypes?

Competition and othering
Peace Education

Reading Assignment

HEC guideline p.36 and onwards

Research memo due
Unit 05. Challenges in Pakistani Schools

Week 12
Topics. Quality teachers’ shortage
Recruitment and development of teachers
Reading Assignments

Teacher shortage PAMAS

How to address teaching Challenges by ADB
Students Presentations due

Week 13

Topics. Missing facilities in Schools

Classrooms, toilets, libraries, and playground.
Lab and Science laboratories

Assignments:
Students will search and bring data and present it in class.

Week 14

Topics. Child labor in Pakistan

Protecting all children
Early childhood education
Reading Assignment

ILO in Pakistan
UNICEF protecting all children
ECD development
Research memos due
Week 15.

Classroom Wrap up and feedback.