THE ROLE OF URDU CURRICULUM IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC VALUES AMONG STUDENTS (WITH THE SPECIAL REFERENCE OF 7TH GRADE URDU TEXTBOOK)

Abstract

Over the years, in response to the larger changes in society there has been a growing concern regarding creating awareness among students about the civic responsibility they endure in the society. School curriculum and other related educational materials developed with a focus on civic values may be of immense help in developing civic sense among students. This paper is an attempt to examine, what role our school textbooks particularly the language textbook plays in promoting civic sense among students. To get this question answered, the Urdu language textbooks prescribed by the Punjab Government and published in 2016, by the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Lahore was reviewed and analysed extensively.

The findings indicate that although the civic values, skills and dispositions can be traced out in the seventh grade Urdu language textbook however, it blends the minimalist representation and interpretation needed for creating civic sense among students. More focus was noted on civic values such as kindness; helpfulness; courtesy; sympathy; cleanliness; respecting others; obeying traffic rules; patriotism; crisis awareness; peace and common good, whereas some other civic traits like, democracy and awareness to social issues were found more or less ignored in the textbook analysed.

It is suggested that textbooks should be planned, developed in such a way that may truly help in promoting civic values among students. Further, on implementation front, teachers and the administrators should also bear the responsibility of implementing the textbooks efficaciously so that civic values may be inculcated in students.