ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a workshop titled ‘Education: an advocacy niche for peace’ urged the government to standardise the education system because, they said, it was the best way to promote peace and social cohesion.

The workshop, which was held on Friday by the South Asia Partnership (SAP) Pakistan, aimed to help develop an improved standard of education.

Participants asked for the removal of hateful material from the curriculum and said such material is damaging to the mind set and character of the youth and to the peace building process and social harmony in the country.

Education campaigner Salma Butt explained the training sessions held in different provinces and appreciated students for showing an interest in the discussions, identifying the basic problems they are facing and the solutions to those problems.

SAP National Programme Manager Shabnam Rasheed stressed the need for an enabling environment for students in educational institutions.

She said such an environment could be achieved when all the stakeholders were involved and when they take up the issues and challenges seriously.

Regional Programme Coordinator SAP Shakeel Ibrar, Syed Irfan Raza from Oxfam and several others spoke on the occasion.

They demanded the formulation of an advocacy policy drafted after consultations with ministries, various state organs, parents, teachers, civil society and others.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2015