The role of educational
institutions in enhancing regional peace and security.
Ignorance, as opposed to
knowledge, is invariably found at the root of every problem; though it might
not be sole cause, yet it is a major contributor. From the journey of
discovering one’s own potential to the awareness of one’s rights and
privileges, knowledge plays a vital role. Formal education is necessary for the
acquisition of authentic and useful knowledge. It can, then, be said that
education has a fore most role in shaping civilized and peaceful societies. Educational
Institution, besides providing solid platform for professional life, helps
build positive mindset, brings in rationality and balanced thought, breeds
reason and logic instead of asserting ones point of view, enables one to
appreciate and observe moral and cultural values, and on top of it all lets
sanity prevail in all spheres of decision-making.
Education is a significant
social investment in preventing a recurrence of conflict. Over the past forty
years around half of all civil wars have resulted from post-conflict relapses,
40% of them within the first decade. Investing in education in post-conflict
situations pays high dividends, as it gives people confidence in peace by
signaling that the benefits are going to be long term and widespread.
It is therefore ought
to say that different efforts have been so far or soon be and to be practiced
as discussed in this article with an overview on the role
of educational institutions in enhancing regional peace and security, because I totally agree with the statement above.
There is a need to have
peace education or education for peace built in the curriculum of formal
studies at higher education level or even at lower levels of education. But
then there is also a need of teachers who are trained enough to impart such
education. ‘It is important in
post-conflict contexts to pay special attention to the curriculum and, in
particular, to prioritize peace education programs so that distrust and hatred
between groups is overcome and citizens are equipped with the tools for
peaceful conflict resolution. Examples of multicultural education and peace
education programs with conflict resolution elements are found in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and in Romania, where
the dynamics of inter-ethnic and intercultural relationships are addressed’
Furthermore, higher
educational institutions need to assess their relationship with wider society
and the world, so that they could promote rights of poor and marginalized
sectors in the context of justice, intercultural respect, sustainable
development, human security and global solidarity. This can be done through
training of educators/teachers whereby they could be able to impart peace
education and on top of it act as role models to impress upon effectively what
they are advocating.
Peace education or
education for peace should be made part of the formal education. It may as well
be done remaining under the umbrella of Islamic injunctions. Seminars, workshops
and even well designed courses like ‘Islam and Society’, ‘Comparative study of
religions’ and ‘War on Terror’ may be introduced at all levels of education more
effectively in higher education institutions. Voluntary debates can be arranged
remaining within code of ethics. It would at least bring in positive awakening
in the educated class, provided teachers imparting such education are properly
trained. Higher education
institutions, on finding fertile ground, may act as bridge between fighting
parties.
Technical and vocational
education and training, especially for those youths who can’t afford higher
institution would pave way for decent jobs and inclination to crime, if any,
could be averted. This would not only bring prosperity amongst these deprived
classes but would have positive impact on national economy. Sense of
deprivation and being left out in the cold are some factors which nourish and
breed resentment and sometimes hatred. ‘Have-nots’ of society see no point in
living a miserable life; it is then that they become vulnerable to brain washing
and eventually are persuaded to ‘sacrifice’ their lives for religion; and are
alluded to peaceful eternal life (after this life). The menace of ‘suicide bombing’ cannot be
controlled through force alone. Education in the right perspective and
provision of jobs can work wonders.
In conclusion, education is absolutely
beneficial for EAC on the whole. It is a life-long process to each person that needs
to be reinforced throughout life. However, we need education system that may
eradicate illiteracy and may provide the common man an access not only to basic
education but also to higher and technical education, Although education has a significant
influence on life, the average education is not the same in Our areas. As a result, strategies should be made
to resolve the problems. Without education, life would be disastrous and
detrimental. Consequently, to this year, we should try our best to make
education global and accessible for everyone particularly the poor and the
disabled. There are still some places where the inhabitants are almost
completely uneducated, causing a serious lack of knowledge. Additionally, every
child should be given equal opportunities to learn and study. Because the
development of our region will depend vastly on the standard of education, it
must do everything in its power to improve it. Although the educational systems
of different countries are not similar but they have to share a common goal
which is to provide its citizens a suitable and proper learning.
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