The Role of Educational Institutions in Islamization, Social Reformation and National Integration in Pakistan

Abstract

Education is the key to a living and dynamic human civilization based on human creativity and productivity. Uniformity in curriculum provides a well-defined and unambiguous goal and it leads toward national integration and social cohesion. Consequently, the potential and competence of the individuals are utilized in a desired and productive manner without a slightest deviation from the defined goal. Pakistan inherited two diverse educational approaches with its inception known as AlÊga’rh and Deoband approaches, commonly known as school and Madrassa educational systems. The aim and objective of both the approaches were to educate and groom the Muslims of the sub-continent in religious and modern scientific education and to preserve the rich values and traditions of Muslim civilization from the onslaught of colonial powers. Undoubtedly, both approaches followed their initial philosophies with zeal and zest. Unfortunately, with the passage of time both the approaches have been deviating from the aims and objectives due to certain unavoidable political, social and economic factors. One is blindly following the footsteps of Western philosophy of education mainly based on materialism and the other has closed its eyes from the growing religious challenges posed by various dynamics and entirely engaged in provision of sect-based education. Consequently, the outcomes are intellectual stagnation, moral degradation, no sense of responsibility and detachment from values and traditions of Muslim civilization. A grievous gap has been widening between the followers of both approaches rapidly that causes national disintegration as well as social disorder and instability. Moreover, Muslim civilization has stopped growing and inspiring others. An attempt has been made in this paper to study and analyze both the educational approaches critically and objectively and to explore a feasible and productive way out and to fill the gap. Keywords: Pakistan, Educational Reformation, Deformation, Islam