Updating Arab Curricula to Foster a Culture of Peace

Calls to reform education across the Arab world are drawing attention to a central priority: updating curricula so schools can better fulfil their educational responsibilities and support a culture of peace.

The proposed focus places what students learn at the heart of educational development. A broader overhaul of the system needs to give careful attention to the content and purpose of the curriculum, rather than treating it as a secondary concern.

Linking curriculum reform to peace also raises questions about how education prepares students to relate to others. Respectful dialogue, understanding differences and resolving disagreements peacefully are relevant considerations for that discussion.

The challenge is to translate the broad goal of educational development into a clear direction for learning. Renewing curricula offers a way to connect the responsibilities of education with the ambition of building a more peaceful society.