Towards a counter-cultural education

It is widely believed that education should prepare children for their adult life in society. In a fair, free, pluralistic and democratic society, this subservient role of education towards society is uncomplicated. In such a context, education’s function can rightly be to help reproduce society. Though as no human collective is ideal, education should always have an uneasy relationship with it. Another trait of society that needs to be protected for the young is enforced uniformity and aversion to plurality. The narrative of singularity — one identity, one history, one vision of good life — is incredibly harmful, according to an opinion piece by Dr Farid Panjwani, Dean, Institute for Educational Development, Aga Khan University.