AN ANALYSIS OF PAKISTAN STUDIES TEXTBOOK AT HIGHER SECONDARY LEVEL: A ROAD FROM DUALISM TO COMMITMENT WITH RELATIVISM

Abstract

Education brings peace, prosperity, tolerance and development for nations. Among the various sources of knowledge books plays an important role. In the countries like Pakistan for the effective implementation of curriculum, the textbooks are considered utmost necessary. Pakistan Studies is taught in Pakistan to promote national character, brotherhood and solidarity among the youth. It acquaints the students with the history of Pakistan. Textbooks have been prepared and then assessed for betterment. The aim of the current study is to analyze the present textbook of Pakistan Studies for higher intermediate classes in the Punjab, Pakistan in connection with Perry’s model. For this purpose, the researchers developed a rubric based on Perry’s model. The results of this study reveal that the question items in given in the exercises of the textbook of Pakistan Studies come up to the basic levels of dualism and multiplicity. The higher level skills as relativism and commitment with relativism have been totally ignored. Further the results show that the question items do not come up to the standards laid down in National Curriculum of the country. This aspect promotes rote learning among the students. This study recommends that the questions items may be redesigned by the experts. Research oriented questions may be included in the exercises to prepare the students to face the challenges of the times ahead.