Education is only sometimes intended to be limited to introductory courses, sciences, and a few canonical kinds of literature that each child must be familiar with. However, the goal of education is much more significant than simply being able to recite facts during exams or interviews. The advancement of education is one of the main drivers of social change, and political awareness is absent in the present situation. Knowing every single MNA or MPA in your district or being able to identify every party in your nation and their history does not constitute being politically savvy. Instead, it more closely relates to having a fundamental understanding of the political system in which you currently reside, the major parties that make up that system, and the mandate that, in your opinion, is in your best interests.
Political awareness covers a wide range of civic responsibilities and citizen rights in addition to fundamentals like the right to vote. The inability of citizens to confront social injustices is caused, among other things, by their lack of knowledge of how to do so. People’s ignorance of societal legal and political frameworks is the root cause of these problems. Citizens need political education and legal awareness to understand their constitutional rights and what is going on with the status quo, form an informed opinion about it, and be empowered and qualified to take action.
Need to inculcate civic education into the masses
The first way to do this is to gradually incorporate civic education and awareness campaigns into students’ daily lives. To accomplish this, either a brand-new subject should be added, or simply a module within Pakistan Studies or Social Studies should be added to teach young children about the significance of politics and civic responsibilities. Even after receiving a high-quality education, many private school kids are ignorant of political structures. The problem may be more urgent for government and low-cost private schools because the policies of the governments in power may significantly impact those segments of society. According to studies, high-income groups and households participate most actively in political discourse. In contrast, medium-income groups and families are most active in discussions about the economy and law and order. However, this is not necessarily a good thing, given that a sizeable portion of the population belongs to something other than these groups. The discussion of law and politics must involve and include the most significant number of people in society as possible if an organization is to be socially progressive, especially those who are less privileged and would not otherwise have access to these opportunities.
Inclusion of law and politics in the curriculum
Law and politics-focused lessons can be added to the school curriculum to help pupils better comprehend these topics and develop the knowledge they need to make wise decisions as adults. This particular method necessitates cooperation between the government and curriculum development boards. Still, it is feasible if the modules are rigorously controlled to prevent bias in favour of or against governments and parties. The general public can be attracted amusingly as another technique to raise awareness. The conversation on politics has expanded significantly due to the recent explosion in talk shows aired by various channels. However, this discourse is constrained by its emphasis on upper-middle-class audiences and the presumption that they are familiar with the fundamentals of politics. The fact that many educated youths watch political talk shows raises a concern because those who are uninformed or lack the exposure to them to understand them cannot gain anything from them. A smart move would be for textbook publishers to work with television networks to create programs specifically geared toward young viewers or uninitiated in the legal system, civics, or politics. Shows like this may make politics, law, and civic studies far more engaging and instructive while still being very enjoyable, like how Quaid ki Baatein instilled morals and values in younger audiences.
Correlation between political knowledge and social media
Political awareness has become more accessible thanks to social media, but this is only true for the privileged groups in society that have access to and can engage with these platforms. A study in Pakistan revealed an astounding correlation between political knowledge and social media use, but for this media to be effective, it must be inclusive. Such tools can be incorporated into student curricula and can also be utilized to make such topics and situations much more appealing. Social media use may be restricted to older pupils, but it is a means of bringing up such issues. Every member of society needs to be aware of law and politics because both serve as the foundation for individuals to comprehend their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The status quo will remain unchanged unless individuals are educated on how to be better citizens. Pakistanis must learn more about various facets of life, especially at this time. Education and awareness can be spread through a variety of methods. The state can make it simpler for pupils to develop into informed citizens by adding these issues to their curricula. Awareness-raising campaigns, talk shows, social media, etc., can be used as channels for educating and enlightening those who are no longer a part of the educational system. These are all the options the state has when deciding how to address the problems and find the most excellent solution which significantly benefits future generations.
Weak governance structure in Pakistan
It is effortless to advocate for such changes while sitting in front of a pricey laptop and holding a diploma from a prestigious university. Still, after attending a government college and working in a low-cost private school in a less affluent part of Lahore, it is simple to understand the scope of the issue. So many things may be done to better Pakistan, but access to education and raising its quality must come first. Voters must cast informed ballots for democracy to flourish in a nation. A nation with access to education and information will elect the best leader and not be duped by politicians’ false promises and claims. However, the most significant obstacle to making educated decisions is a need for more understanding of political and economic events. In Pakistan, where poverty, inflation, illiteracy, unemployment, and a lack of peace and order are all significant issues, weak governance is demonstrated. The potential of the nation is being eaten away by these issues and the absence of basic amenities. In addition to endangering democracy, illiteracy also contributes to economic unrest. Due to the threat of corruption, our nation has experienced its fair share of ups and downs. We have repeatedly been harmed economically, monetarily, and politically by lawmakers and elected officials who do not genuinely care about the nation or its citizens. All these elements contribute to citizen dissatisfaction and a decline in faith in the democratic system. It is past time for us to behave like responsible citizens. To make wiser decisions in future elections, we must educate ourselves and amass enough knowledge about political parties, their platforms, and their candidates.
