Source: DAWN
http://www.dawn.com/2007/01/10/nat2.htm
ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: In the revised national curriculum for history, middle school students will be taught briefly about Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. They will also be provided information about various civilisations of South Asia, starting from the Indus Valley civilisation.The education ministry has sent curriculum guidelines to the provincial textbook boards for formulation of books in detail for classes VI to VIII. The curriculum’s main objective is to create awareness about various ancient civilisations which developed over centuries in South Asia, especially in areas now constituting Pakistan.
The curriculum starts with highlighting the importance of the discipline of history.
For class VI, it covers the period from Indus Valley civilisation to the end of the Delhi Sultanate (1,500BC to 1,526AD). In particular, it focuses on the civilisation and social advancements made by the people of Mohenjodaro and Harappa. Learning outcomes suggested under the guidelines are discussion on the structure and salient features of the society in terms of its democratic and peaceful nature as indicated by the absence of weapons of warfare and tools for hunting.
The second chapter for class VI will focus on social, economic and religious systems of that time period in which salient features of Hinduism will be discussed besides explaining how Buddhism and Jainism differ from Hinduism. The next two chapters will be on the arrival of Arabs and the conquest of Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim to Mahmud of Ghazna, Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghauri and the Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq and Lodhi dynasties and their subsequent decline.