EXPLORING THE ELEMENTS OF POLITICAL AWARNESS IN PAKISTAN STUDIES TEXTBOOKS AT SECONDARY & HIGHER SECONDARY LEVEL IN SINDH

Abstract

Promoting political awareness (PA) among students is one of the major functions of the education. The theories of political literacy (PL) adopted in this research consider education as a vital source to develop PA among students. In fact, PA develops proactive and responsible citizens who fully participate in nation-building. Formally, PA related education is promoted through education polices, curriculum and textbooks; and textbooks are only available material in the classrooms especially at government schools and colleges starting from primary to intermediate level in Pakistan. The kind of content a textbook has respective effects. Objective of the study was to explore Pakistan studies textbooks at secondary and higher secondary level in Sindh with respect to PA. To conduct this research, the researcher developed the concept map of the basic elements of PL with the help of literature review and theories of political literacy. And qualitative research method was adopted since the research was document review. The textbooks were closely read with respect to those eight basic concepts of political science. Data was collected mainly from the textbooks of secondary and higher secondary Pakistan studies Sindh. The result showed that despite the emphasis given on the integration of PA by provincial curricula and national education policies [NEP] especially 2009, there was little integration of the PA related concepts in the mentioned textbooks. For instance, out of thirteen units in secondary level Pakistan studies there were only two chapters that indirectly mentioned the concepts related to PA; and quality related issues apart. This little inclusion of PA concepts has many consequences such as students do not participate in political life of state. Therefore, Integration of more units related to PA is suggested through this research.