Education can be strategic investment
Democracy has certain prerequisites, foremost among them is
education. Quality education is the only tool that can inculcate democratic
values in the society such as justice, liberty, accountability, transparency,
and make the people more politically conscious of their rights and duties
towards the state. Conversely, the citizenry becomes intolerant, narrow-minded
and fanatical if the education system endorses prejudice, bigotry, siege mentality
and hatred against minorities.
Quality education helps permeate democracy in the society in
three ways: Firstly, it helps make individuals more tolerant, as education aids
in understanding the norms of tolerance and changes cognitive functioning in a
way that favors extension of civil liberties to the opposition. Education also
advances individual value priorities that are conducive to openness to
political diversity and pluralism. Various social research works have indicated
education to be an important determinant in influencing political tolerance.
Thus, more educated individuals are more likely to be tolerant and favor
democratic principles, such as acceptance of rights of minorities and
marginalized groups.
The policymakers of Pakistan should take measures to make its
education system more democracy friendly by making democratic values an
intrinsic part of the curricula, in order for its younger generations to
internalize democratic norms and values.
Secondly, there is a strong correlation between education and
political participation. Almond and Verbal prudently note in their book, The
Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Different Nations,
“The uneducated man or the man with limited education is a different political
actor from the man who has achieved a higher level of education.” Education
provides civic skills and propagates diverse political interests, which in turn
increase the likelihood of greater political participation. Increase in
education level also work to favors pro-democracy groups rather than
authoritarian ones since education is an important factor in motivating support
for groups that are mainly driven by peer persuasion rather than direct
rewards.
Thirdly, education is both an enabler and leveler and thus has
the capacity to regulate power relations in a society, as without balance of
power in the power relations between the state and the people, citizens can’t
effectively participate in decision making processes affecting their lives.
Therefore, education as both information and a tool for evaluating information
is critical to choice since only on the basis of informed options can
individuals make rational choices. In addition, education is an essential
precondition to develop a capacity in citizens to democratically participate in
processes and decisions that affect them.
Lastly, quality education is conducive to social equality.
Income inequality is intimately linked with level of education attainment.
Educated individuals are more likely to contribute to economic equality,
increasing the chances of democratic transition and stability of democratic
regimes in the long run.
Quality education helps permeate democracy in the society in
three ways: Firstly, it helps make individuals more tolerant, as education aids
in understanding the norms of tolerance and changes cognitive functioning in a
way that favors extension of civil liberties to the opposition.
Therefore, it can be conclusively stated that increase in
education levels positively influence attitudes and values, lower
redistributive pressures and strengthen the mobilization capabilities of
pro-democracy groups. But Pakistan’s educational system is inherently
anti-democratic that does not facilitate democracy in any way. Due to multiple
streams of conflicting systems of education, e.g. public, private and madrasah,
instead of promoting class harmony and inclusion the education system of
Pakistan reinforces class divisions and biases. It also suffocates space to
develop out-of-the-box thinking, ask questions and think on a collective level.
Such an education system impedes democratic values of liberty, equality,
justice, co-existence, pluralism and tolerance.
The policymakers of Pakistan should take measures to make its
education system more democracy friendly by making democratic values an
intrinsic part of the curricula, in order for its younger generations to
internalize democratic norms and values. In due course of time, the effect
would trickle down at the societal level which would help in establishing a
more humane, just and literate society capable of fighting vices of religious
extremism, economic inequality and social discrimination. No practice or
process other than education is capable of promoting these fundamental values
of democracy sustainably.