Alarming amount of hate-material in Pakistani textbooks, study reveals

(August 31, 2012) School textbooks in two provinces of Pakistan contain an alarming amount of hate material, while their education policy shows a deep-rooted bias against religious minorities, a new study has found. The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) of Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference released the results of the research entitled “Educating or Nurturing Hatred” on Thursday at a seminar in Lahore. The study examined 22 textbooks currently being used in Punjab and Sindh provinces for students in grades 1 to 10. Within these books researchers say they found references in 55 chapters containing hate material against Christians, Hindus, Bangladesh and neighbouring India. “Hindus completely controlled the education sector in East Pakistan. They prepared and motivated Bengalis against Pakistan,” states a Grade 10 Pakistan studies book referring to the 1971 split with what is now Bangladesh and published by the Punjab textbook board. “Hindus can never become true friends with Muslims,” a Grade 5 Islamic studies book by the same board states. Similarly, a Grade 6 social studies book in Sindh says that Christian pastors used to hold open gatherings in cities and villages, glorifying the Christian faith and spoke ill of other religions.” “There are insulting remarks against minority religions and distorted historical facts. The textbooks heavily rely on the rhetoric that Hindus opposed while Muslims favoured the creation of Pakistan, said Peter Jacob, NCJP executive secretary. The use of hate-based material in books in the two provinces is on the rise, he added. The NCJP is presently fighting several courts cases against the policy of providing additional marks to students who have memorized the Qu’ran. It has been reviewing school curriculums for seven years. The commission recently shared its findings with provincial education ministers in all four provinces. So far, only Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province says it will revise its current syllabus.