Beyond Dates and Names: History Demands More

Wise are the people who learn from the life experiences of other people. (_{Translation of an Urdu quote I read long ago} )

Human beings are the wisest of all the creatures on the planet Earth. They need not go through trial and error to understand the relationship and impact of factors in their lives. They need not experience all the things directly, but the mere observation of other people’s experiences is enough to teach them the necessary lessons.

The sensory perceptions of humans are not exclusive to each other but all interconnected. We are able to visualize, taste and feel just by hearing the related words; and so we are able to experience and understand a variety of emotions only by hearing stories.

Moreover, the human's ability to think critically and derive conclusions not only saves time needed for repeated exposure to similar actions but also gives opportunity to grow over the foundations laid by other people.

The human’s ability to retain and utilize information gathered from the prior generations is one of the major contributors towards growth and advancement of every successive generation. Had humans not been able to collect, understand and utilize knowledge from the past there would be no advancements in any realm of life, be it civilization, medicine or any other technology.

The present has no existence without the past. All the moments in time are intricately interwoven and there is no way to detach one from the other. The knowledge of past provides us the foundation to understand the important element for navigating in the present. Also, it holds significant importance for shaping and directing the future.

History keeps on repeating itself with different names and faces. No matter how technologically the generations become advanced, throughout the history of mankind we can observe similar patterns causing the rise and downfalls of nations and individuals. We can point out certain basic timeless ideologies and mind-sets that hold importance in explaining our current scenarios. Also the related events in the past has the potential to predict the consequences our actions are going to bring in the present.

Owing to the importance of history, I deem it an important subject that should be included in academic curriculum at school. The new generation should be aware of the sacrifices, achievements and mistakes of their ancestors so they can make better, informed and more favourable decisions about their future.

The knowledge of history also instils the appreciation for one’s unique identity which is important for developing self-worth and sense of belonging. It contributes in developing patriotism. It also inspires for taking courageous decisions for the betterment of society.

Nevertheless, I am not very fond of the way history is being taught traditionally. There is more emphasis on memorizing dates, sequence of events, and names and sayings of the leaders, which does not add much to the insights.

I don’t support the idea of making “History” a mandatory separate subject for everyone. However, I urge to include it in curriculum in an interesting and effective way. Instead of teaching it as a separate subject it can be included in literature in the form of stories, role play, drama, speeches and as a part of social studies.

Moreover, those who take History as a separate subject should be urged to think critically. Their analytical skills must be empowered to take the necessary lessons from the past events and to imply the knowledge in the current situations.

In conclusion, understanding one’s history is vital for every citizen. However, making History a separate mandatory in the curriculum may not be the most effective approach. Instead, integrating historical elements into other subjects in an engaging and meaningful way can spark learners’ interest, encouraging them to choose History as an elective for further studies. This approach can cultivate more informed politicians and policymakers who make better decisions. Furthermore, it is essential to teach History in a manner that promotes critical thinking and decision-making skills among learners, maximizing its impact on society.

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This post is my response to Hl-featured contest edition 139 week 1

Image is taken by me using my mobile camera