Case Study - Pakistan: Education, Religion and Conflict

Pakistan is in the midst of crisis. It is threatened by virulent extremist groups and is suffering from a failing education system that is poorly funded and politically manipulated. It promulgates an undefined Islamo-nationalist ideology that lays the foundations for widespread acceptance of ideologically motivated violence. Reforms to the curriculum have been legislated but are badly implemented by the country's politicians; the international community has largely turned a blind eye to these shortcomings. Unless aid and advocacy are specifically focused on far-reaching educational reform that directly tackles extremism, the long-term consequences will be extremely severe.