Curriculum and Political Socialization: a Case Study of Secondary Schools in Pakistan

Abstract

The political socialization is considered significant for the real democracy which is further well thought-out a key to the progress and prosperity of a country. In this study, efforts are made to determine the extent of political knowledge incorporated in the compulsory subjects taught at secondary level. The study was qualitative as well as quantitative in design. The content analysis of the eight compulsory books being taught at secondary level was carried out. In quantitative approach, survey research design was used. Data were collected from 828 Secondary School Teachers (SSTs) by a self-developed Likert Scale to validate the results of the content analysis. The reliability of the tool was determined by computing the value of Alpha coefficient that was 0.91. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study showed that neither the curricula nor the teachers were developing the sense of political socialization among the students. It is suggested that a wide range of topics on basic political knowledge should be incorporated in the present curricula. A teacher training mechanism should also be introduced and made functional through which the teachers themselves got interested in developing political socialization among the students.