Maryam Munir
Civic education involves teaching individuals about their rights, responsibilities, and societal roles, especia lly within a democratic context. Its main goals are to cultivate an understanding of political systems, foster democratic values, develop critical thinking on societal issues, and promote respect for diversity and the rule of law. While civic education is often directly conveyed through institutions, it also indirectly shapes individual personalities through influences from family, media, religious organizations, governments, political parties, and civil society groups. Community discussions on political and social issues further contribute to shaping civic awareness.
In Pakistan, civic education is introduced to children primarily through social studies curricula, aiming to instill an understanding of rights, duties, and critical thinking within Islamic guidelines. However, the curriculum often blurs the lines between civic and religious education, lacking a clear distinction between citizenship and Islamic teachings. This gap has contributed to a problematic political culture where democratic practices are undermined by voting based on caste, loyalty to political parties, and the exchange of votes for basic needs like food or money. Many people vote along these lines instead of engaging in a rational, democratic process.
An analysis of Pakistan’s educational materials shows that while they cover government structure and responsibilities, they lack a strong focus on citizenship education. Integrating civic education as a standalone subject or embedding it within subjects like geography, history, or social studies could foster stronger civic awareness.
Research also highlights that even with civic education, people may still abstain from political participation if they feel it lacks impact. This is particularly true for younger generations who often feel disconnected from political institutions. The curriculum in many institutions emphasizes memorizing laws and articles rather than understanding their practical significance, resulting in a lack of constitutional literacy across Pakistani society.
However, civic training by government agencies, NGOs, and educational institutions has helped raise awareness of civic rights and responsibilities. Youth, especially, play a crucial role in spreading this knowledge within their communities after participating in these workshops and training programs.
