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Background reading material for Yr 1 PPSD session on 08th August 2007 by Professor Omar Hasan Kasule Sr.
DICHOTOMY / DUALITY OF SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE
General education is suffering from the impact of incoherent and contradictory sources of knowledge. There is a dichotomy in the education system: traditional vs. modern. There are competing and contradictory world-views. The consequence of the various forms of duality is confusion in the minds of students and intellectual schizophrenia of the elite and society’s leadership. Integration of the 2 systems has failed or has been difficult in several countries because it has been mechanical and not conceptual.
DICHOTOMY OF HEALTH EDUCATION and GENERAL EDUCATION
Education for healthy living is often not part of the general school curriculum or is only a small part. On the other hand health educators use various media such as TV, radio, publications to pass on the health message. There is therefore a dichotomy between health education and general education. Since school education is becoming universal in most countries of the world, the two should be integrated to do away with the dichotomy. Health education at an early age is more effective in inducing healthful behavior. Health education is less effective in adulthood.
SOCIAL REFORM
Reform requires knowledge, ideas and action related by the following mathematical equation: tajdid = idea + action. Action without knowledge and guiding ideas will not lead to true change. Ideas without action are not change at all. Reform requires and is preceded by a reform in knowledge to provide ideas and motivation on which to build.
In the past knowledge change and transmission could occur in the informal sector. Today knowledge is transmitted by the formal school system. Efforts to change or reform knowledge must translate into efforts at reforming the school system.
THE NEW EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY
The vision of the knowledge strategy is an upright balanced person who understands and fulfils his role in creating a healthy society and a healthy environment. He participates actively and positively in building society (socially, culturally, and technologically). He understands that development activities must find a just equilibrium between material and spiritual, control of nature and preservation of the environment, technology and humanity.
The mission of the knowledge strategy is conceptual transformation of the education system from kindergarten to post graduate studies to provide knowledge, values, and attitudes necessary for healthy living.
The goals of practical reform of the education system are to: abolish duality of education system and to make sure that traditional knowledge is integrated with scientific knowledge. Health education should also be integrated in the school curriculum. The school is a socializing agent. It is a laboratory for reform of the total society.