THE passage of almost three decades has provided ample time for this country to recognise the disservices done to it by the Zia dictatorship.

As such, it is unfortunate that even now, in ways big and small, we continue to suffer from that regime’s divisive and backward-looking tactics and policies.

Consider, for example, the Grade 12 sociology textbooks that are being taught in Punjab. The issue was raised in the Senate on Friday by Senator Mir Kabir: the Baloch have been disparaged in the textbook, with words such as “uncivilised” being used for them.

Also read: Describing Baloch as ‘uncivilised’ in textbook irks Senators

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said that this syllabus had been prepared under an ordinance promulgated during Gen Zia’s days in power. It really is nothing less than “stabbing the nation in the back”, as the Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq commented.

And especially in the context of the legitimate grievances the people of the province have long held against the state, that such commentary remains on the books goes a long way towards revealing the priorities of successive leaderships.

While this piece of mischief must immediately be rectified, it provides good reason to look into curriculum reform in general. It is well known that portions of texts being used to ‘educate’ the young in the country carry prevarications and obfuscations if not downright misinformation; some texts are laced with troubling views; and others can be seen as divisive.

Even the text that came under fire in the Senate contains other problematic statements: as pointed out by Mr Rabbani, the book teaches students the ‘benefits’ of dictatorship, and while the break-up of the country is dealt with in one paragraph, there is no mention at all of the long struggle for democracy this country undertook.

There can be little argument that students raised on antediluvian syllabi will make for a poor future.

Even as the prime minister promises to put every child in school, his government needs to ensure that the schooling being provided is worth having.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2016