Social Cohesion and Peace: Exploring Teachers’ Verdicts on Single National Curriculum (SNC) in Primary Schools
Abstract
Purpose__ The study intended to explore teachers’ perceptions about the role of Single National Curriculum (SNC) in building social cohesion and peace among students.
Methodology__ Keeping in view the nature of the study phenomenology as research design was used under a qualitative approach. Private primary school teachers in tehsil Sargodha were the population of the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 25 teachers (N=25). Semi structured interview consisted of twenty (20) questions was used to get responses from the teachers. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and eventually, thematic analysis of the interview’s text was used for analysis.
Findings__ The study found that implementation of the SNC was a good step to promote social cohesion and peace among students. Teachers’ perception revealed that SNC is a multi-dimensional curriculum and has more religious philosophical reflections, which may have a great impact on students’ behavior. Moreover, respondents believed that along with teaching content we have to play an important role in promoting social cohesion and peace by practicing moral lessons. Majority of the respondents reported that the SNC enhances critical thinking and builds friendships among students. The results showed that proper implementation of SNC in the private sector is still lacking.
Recommendations__ Hence, it was recommended that to achieve more social cohesion and peace through the initiative of SNC; Ministry of Education should work to implement it properly. It was also recommended that instead of focusing only on rote learning; teacher should engage students in activities which are given in the content of SNC to further promote social cohesion and peace among students.
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