January 19, 2006	Thursday	Zilhaj 18, 1426

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LAHORE, Jan 18: All seminaries should be closed down immediately as the students they are producing are a ‘potential threat’ to the solidarity of the country.

Eminent physicist Dr Pervaiz Hoodbhoy said this at a seminar on “Educating Pakistan: facts and fiction” organized by the Focus Pakistan, an NGO, at the Alhamra Arts Council here on Wednesday.

He said the madressah education was producing a particular mindset, which was dangerous for the country as it was impeding the progress of society. He said any madressah reform would not work in this regard. “Teaching them (seminary students) English and science subjects will not help change their mindset,” he said.

After closing down the seminaries, he said, their students should be admitted to public schools. And a uniform syllabus should be introduced with no division on religious education. He stressed the need for establishing Islamic research institutions.

The penal discussion at the seminar was marred by cross-talk among the participants. Some of them were imposing their views on others.

Former federal minister Sartaj Aziz said the madressah education came to the limelight during Afghan war as some of their students were sent to take part in it. To paint their image as militant was not right, he added.

Regarding improvement in the education system, Mr Aziz said a uniform system should be introduced all over the country.

The other participants called for elimination of class-based education system. The government, they said, should not privatize known educational institutions so that the children of the poor could get admission there.

They said the definition of literacy should be changed and the government should prepare a fresh data about the literacy rate in the country.