ISLAMABAD: Speakers on Wednesday drew a direct link between exclusionary narratives in textbooks and rising social intolerance against religious and sectarian minorities in the country.

Speaking at a discussion at the launch of a study titled, ‘What Are We Teaching in Schools?', the education experts and civil society members emphasised the urgent need for incorporating an inclusive approach to address the “majoritarian and supremacist mindset plaguing the society”.

The study, conducted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), pointed out the incorporation of religious themes in science, social studies and language textbooks.

Renowned educationist Dr A.H. Nayyar said Pakistan's curriculum was heavily laden with compulsory religious instructions and the consequences were evident.

“The nation remains deeply divided along religious lines and students from minority faiths often feel excluded from the mainstream. This approach hinders students’ ability to compete globally, contributing to Pakistan’s continued decline in international educational and development rankings," he said.

Peter Jacob of the CSJ presented the findings of the study and highlighted that the percentage of religiously inclusive content remained low across textbooks board, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the National Book Foundation leading at just 7 per cent, followed by Sindh 6.4pc, Balochistan 5.4pc and Punjab 5.2pc.

He said: “There is a dire need to introduce more learning content manifesting sensitivity towards diverse religions, peace-building, acceptance and tolerance.”

He noted that a high presence of Islamic content in non-religious subjects especially in Pakistan Studies and Urdu undermines the constitutional right to religious freedom for minority students.

The study pointed out that while some progress had been made in reducing hateful content against religious minorities, the religious material belonging to the majority religion in compulsory non-religious subjects had increased. The study pointed out that incorporation of religious themes in science, social studies, and language textbooks had reduced the scope for critical thinking and democratic values in students.

Right activist Tahira Abdullah appreciated CSJ's latest research publication highlighting continuing problems in the public education system's Single National Curriculum. She said that she hated using the words tolerance for minorities, adding that minorities have equal rights and should be treated with love and respect.

She highlighted the flaws in the process of framing education policy and questioned the credentials of those given the task to create contents of the textbooks.

Another speaker Zeeba Hashmi said: “This study brings fresh evidence on what experts have been pointing towards for years."

Making recommendations to all textbook and curriculum boards in the country, the study urged to include structural inclusion of religiously inclusive curricula, learning and teaching tools.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2025