Education a catalyst for peace, perspectives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Updated: Jul 5, 2022
In a study of the role of education in post-conflict peacebuilding perspectives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are noted, that it has recently given renewed attention to its education sector, premised on the realization that accessible, quality and inclusive education is crucial to bringing peace and future development (Fazalehaq & Aleem, 2017).
Learning in conflict areas has often been overlooked, mainly the role played by education in post-conflict peacebuilding. Methods such as ceasefire agreements, military interventions, and the establishment of peace zones are often seen. However, these are short-term remedies relaying from the fact that they don’t achieve long-term stability and peace. Reforms for peace building are meant to be transformative hence the connection with the education given its nature of character formation and socialization that are crucial to peace building. In a region such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, education is an excellent methodology to achieve inclusion, equality, reconciliation, social capital formation, and lasting peace.
The idea of education as a peacebuilding mechanism introduces peace education programs that include conflict resolution and dispute settlement procedures, enriching the growth of positivity and control of emotional management. Peacebuilding, such as nationalism, reconciliation, and understanding of the historical context, can be effectively taught to young people through formal learning (OECD, 2012). In the last decade, the regional administration of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has worked with non-governmental organizations to introduce peace education programs in schools across the province.
It is essential to see that reforms like these embed and instill peacebuilding as character development in students. These programs, if made mandatory, can severely mitigate conflicts, enhancing peacebuilding through education.
Sources;
Akhter, Nasreen & lah, samee & sahab, shabnum. (2022). The Role Of Education In Post-Conflict Peace Building: Learner Perspectives From. Webology. 19. 542.