2nd solution to evils of xenophobia is "Re-educating the public schools".Part II

We are discussing solutions to evil of xenophobia.

There are 10 solutions. We start one by one in the order of importance.

1. RE-EDUCATING THE PARENTS (PROPER PARENTING)

We have already discussed the Fist Step of "Solution to Xenophobia" i.e. Re-educating the Parents. Details of proper parenting has been discussed in previous three blogs. Now we go on to the Second step i.e. Re-educating the Public Schools.

2. RE - EDUCATING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS We discussed the basic education anw we discuss and address the problem of xenophobia in public schools.



Xenophobia in Public Schools


As regard to xenophobia, the educational systems in schools (even in developed countries) are not doing the job they are required to do i.e. to design a curriculum that prepars the children to develope a uniform ideology that respects all humans with equal dignity, regardless of their nationality, race, ethnicity and religion. Present curricula of basic educational system has miserably failed in this respect. Instead of eliminating the evils of xenophobia, children are coming out of schools with a graduate degree in xenophobia.


These xenophobe graduates are danger to the society and to the world whether they enter into tertiary level of education or they seek a vocation.

At tertiary level of education the new graduates learn to acquire the ability to form an idea or a concept. If that idea or concept is based on the poor understanding of the evil institutions that create xenophobia (i.e. nationalism, racism, ethnocentrism and religionism), then that idea propels and accelrates further hatred in the xenophobe world.



On the other hand, if these xenophobe graduates go into a vocation, for example military, they are perfectly equiped with the hatred and the hateful ideology inculcated by the xenophobe institutions, that has its preferance to destroy rather than save the world.



Q. How do we solve the problem of xenophobia through basic education in public schools?



A. "A Proper Basic Education".



If a child enters into public school after receiving proper parenting (as described in the first step i.e. re-educating the parents), during the first 4-5 years of life, the child has already accomplished half the success to overcome the hurdle (denial) that retards and blurrs the proper understanding of xenophobia. Public schools will not have much problem with the children who have gone through proper parenting. However, school’s task becomes very complex and challenging when facing the problem of a child who has spent first four years of life with improper parenting (i.e. with xenophobe parents).



Schools have great responsibility in designing a system of basic education that focuses on eliminating the root causes of xenophobia. Schools can overcome this challenge by designing curricula of educational materials that creates an atmosphere of harmony in the developing mind of a child. Following few suggestions (also known as 'Proper Basic Education') can provide such solution to the challenge.



Proper Basic education



The curricula of public schools (and private schools) must entertain those educational materials that prevent the emergence of xenophobia i.e. by including those branches of Humanities that deals with race, ethnicity, religion and nations. These academic disciplines should use analytical, critical, non-speculative, philosophical, anthropological, empirical and scientific methods. In fact it is the study of whole human species, human nature (e.g., compassion and altruism), and the human condition (the totality of experience of existing as a human being), should be the part of the curriculum.



These courses should start at kinder level and continue to be the part of curriculum until student finish high school (secondary education).



One of the most important emphases in these courses should be put on the scientific evidence that humanity has evolved in time to create one of its most beautiful aspect of humans known as Humanitarianism. It is one of the most essential and humane aspect of human evolution.



Humanitarianism



By definition humanitarianism is an active belief in humanity (the idea of the value of human life) whereby humans practice benevolent treatment and provide assistance to other humans, in order to better humanity for both moral and logical reasons. It is the philosophical belief in movement toward the improvement of the human race in a variety of ways and in a variety of areas, used to describe a wide number of activities relating specifically to human welfare.



This branch of humanities should also devote in most part in another most valued aspect i.e. humanism. This is one area that deserves special attention. Until now the education in public schools has devoted least attention in this area where it should be the most. Without the emphasis on humanism, all educational systems defeat their purpose. It is here when a student grasps the basis of humanity.



Humanism



By definition humanism is a broad category of ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people (regardless of their nationality, race, ethnicity and religion), based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appealing to universal human qualities, particularly rationality. It is a component of a variety of more specific philosophical systems and is incorporated into several religious schools of thought. Humanism can be considered as a process by which truth and morality is sought through human investigation. In focusing on the capacity for self-determination; humanism rejects the validity of transcendental justifications, such as a dependence on belief without reason, the supernatural, or texts of allegedly divine origin. In other words humanism is above any of the parochial interests.



According to Humanism, it is up to humans to find the truth, as opposed to seeking it through revelation, mysticism, traditional religions, or anything else that is incompatible with the application of logic to the observable evidence. In demanding that humans avoid blindly accepting unsupported beliefs, it supports scientific skepticism and the scientific and empirical method, rejecting authoritarianism of religions (religionism) and rendering faith unacceptable for action on that basis. Likewise, Humanism asserts that knowledge of right and wrong is based on the best understanding of one's individual and joint interests, rather than stemming from a transcendental truth or an arbitrarily local source such as religionism that claims its superiority of truth by degrading all other religions.



Humanism does not mean to criticize or minimize the rights of traditional religions. Most religions aspire for humanism anyway. Nevertheless, humanism requires the righteousness of all religions to be sophisticated enough not to descend into religionism.



One more good thing about humanism is that it features an optimistic attitude about the capacity of people, but it does not involve believing that human nature is entirely independent of other beings, or that all people can live up to the “Humanist ideals” without help. If anything, there is the recognition that living up to one's full potential is a hard work and requires the assistance of others all the time.



Sir John Donne (1572 – 1631) an English poet, has said very eloquenly,



“No man is an island.”



We all need each other and are in many ways dependent on each other. Therefore, we must work together for a common goal, the ultimate goal.



The ultimate goal is human flourishing; making life better for all humans (regardless of ones race, religion, gender, ethnicity and nationality of origin), and as human being, (being one of the most conscious and conscience being), we should be promoting concern for the welfare of all other sentient beings. The focus is on doing good and living well in the here and now, and leaving the world better for those who come after.



This form of education ("proper basic schooling"), in public schools, is ideal for the xenophobe world we live in. Since it promotes ideal of humanitarianism and humanism, graduates from these schools will be an asset not only to their own social structures but also to the world. The education they receive will help them in forming a unified harmonious culture that advocates equality; regardless of one's nationality, race, ethnicity and religion. In other words these graduates will be the true antonym of xenophobia and synonym of world peace.





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Next we will continue with Re-education in public schools and address the Ten Golden Rules to basic education in public schools.


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Sydshahid