Role of Primary Education in Promoting Peace in Terrorism Affected Areas: Primary School Teachers’ Perspectives

Abstract

Terrorism is the use of violence or threat of violence usually against civilians for political, religious or ideological purposes. It is a universal problem. This problem exists mostly in some part of the world. Primary education plays the crucial role in development and building peaceful and prosperous society. This study explores the perspectives of primary school teachers regarding the role of primary education in promotion of peace in terrorism affected area in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. A quantitative survey study was used to conduct this study. It is Due to cultural barriers males are strictly forbidden to female schools. Therefore, only males’ teachers are selected randomly. Data was collected by using a self developed survey questionnaire from 150 teachers selected from male primary school in district Malakand where schools have been facing the problem of terrorist attacks.. The data was analyzed on the basis of simple percentages and frequency statistically.. Findings of the study are: majority of the teachers were found agree to the teaching of religious/spiritual values at primary school label for the promotion peace in society. Teachers were agreed to teach the religious/spiritual values to primary school children to promote peace in society. Secondly, religion is a symbol of peace and backbone of the society as it teaches peaceful way of living to its followers, thirdly teachers were found eagerly to teach the social and universal values to students for the purpose of bringing peace in the society in order to avoid conflicts., it is recommended on the basis of finding of this study that training opportunities most be provided to primary school teachers specially in terror affected areas for the purpose of promoting peace and development.