South Asian Journal on Education
(SAJE)
Navigating the Frontier of Educational Excellence
The South Asian Journal on Education (SAJE) is an esteemed peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to advancing the discourse on education and related fields within the South Asian region. An initiative of the Idea Bank department under the Pioneers Youth Organization, SAJE was established to provide young scholars with a platform to publish their research without incurring any publication fees. The journal welcomes submissions from a wide range of disciplines, including education, social sciences, humanities, and information technology, with a special focus on issues pertinent to South Asia. Our goal is to support the growth of scholarly work in the region and to provide a credible platform for emerging voices in academia.
Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is to create an inclusive and accessible platform for young scholars to contribute to the academic landscape of South Asia and beyond. By eliminating publication fees, we ensure that financial barriers do not hinder the dissemination of valuable research. We are committed to promoting academic excellence through rigorous peer review and quality enhancement processes, thereby contributing to the intellectual growth of the region.
Our mission is to nurture and amplify the voices of young researchers by providing them with a reputable platform to publish their work. Through SAJE, we aim to bridge the gap between academia and practical solutions by addressing critical issues in education and other related fields. Under the leadership of the Pioneers Youth Organization, we strive to create a vibrant academic community that encourages collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas across borders. Our dedication to quality and integrity drives our efforts to make SAJE a leading journal in the South Asian academic community.
Our Core Values
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Academic Integrity
Upholding ethical standards through rigorous peer-review, transparency, and fairness to ensure reliable and credible scholarly contributions.
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Inclusivity and Accessibility
Providing a fee-free platform to amplify diverse voices, ensuring publication opportunities for all scholars, especially from underrepresented regions.
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Excellence in Scholarship
Striving for innovation and impact through rigorous editorial processes, ensuring each article meets the highest academic standards.
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Collaboration and Community
Fostering a supportive, collaborative academic community with volunteers and contributors across South Asia and globally.
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Regional Relevance with Global Impact
Connecting South Asian research to global discussions, promoting understanding and insights that resonate beyond regional boundaries.
SOUTH ASIAN
JOURNAL
ON EDUCATION
Volume 1
© 2019 Pioneers Youth Organization. All Rights Reserved. The CC license does not apply to non-SAJE copyright materials in this publication.
Disclaimer:
The author (s) of each article appearing in this journal are solely responsible for the content thereof; the publication of an article shall not be deemed or constitute to be deemed to constitute any representation by Editors or the Journal.
The links provided by the authors are accurate and up to date as of the publication date. Neither the authors nor the South Asian Journal on Education (SAJE) are responsible for any broken or outdated links that may occur after publication.
The South Asian Journal on Education encourages printing or copying information exclusively for personal and noncommercial use with proper acknowledgment of the journal. Users are restricted from reselling, redistributing, or creating derivative works for commercial purposes without the express, written consent of the South Asian Journal on Education.
PATRON
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Ms. Sara Shibly
Executive Director,
Pioneers Youth Organization
(sara.shibly@pioneersyouth.org)
Ms. Manuja Wijesuriya
Director of Planning,
The Idea Bank
Mr. Saif Ur Rehman
Secretary,
South Asian Journal on Education
Ms. Ayesha Jamil
Head of Writer’s Division,
The Idea Bank
(ayesha@pioneersyouth.org)
Ms. Nida Shams
Project Coordinator,
The Idea Bank
REVIEW PANEL
Ms. Hiruni Herath
BA English Language and Literature, University of Colombo,
Dip. International Relations, Bandranayake Center for International Studies.
Ms. Sithmi Nimashi Edirisinghe
BA English Language and Literature, University of Colombo,
BIT, University of Moratuwa.
Mr. Tanay Thakur
PhD Scholar, International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University,
Teaching Assistant, Department of International Relation and Governance Studies,
Shiv Nadar University.
Preface
It is with great pride that we present the inaugural edition of the South Asian Journal on Education (SAJE). This journal represents a significant step forward in our ongoing mission to promote and enhance the quality of education across South Asia and beyond. SAJE is an initiative spearheaded by the Idea Bank department of the Pioneers Youth Organization, a youth-led non-governmental organization, registered in Sri Lanka, that has been at the forefront of advocating for quality education in the South Asian region since its inception in 2019. The foundation of SAJE was laid with a singular vision: “to provide a platform for the youth of South Asia and scholars from across the globe to publish their research and academic work related to the region. In a world where the costs associated with academic publishing can often be prohibitive, particularly for young scholars, SAJE offers a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that does not impose any publication fees.” This initiative underscores our commitment to making academic publishing more accessible and equitable, particularly for emerging scholars who are passionate about contributing to academic excellence.
The success of this journal is made possible by the dedication and voluntary contributions of our esteemed review panel and all those involved in the publication process. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these individuals for their unwavering commitment to academic excellence and their invaluable role in ensuring the quality and integrity of the journal. The scope of SAJE is intentionally broad, encompassing not only education but also related fields that contribute to the enhancement of academic excellence within the region. The current volume of the journal is a reflection of this broad scope. The theme for the current edition, “Development of Quality Education in South Asia,” has inspired a collection of six articles that offer diverse and thought-provoking perspectives on education.
Among the topics covered in this edition is a discussion on the gaps in peace education in schools in Sri Lanka, another article examines the impact of madrasa education on social mobility in Pakistan, and the issue of sexuality education in South Asia is also addressed. Additionally, this edition includes a study on the implementation and development of self-directed learning in Sri Lanka, the post-COVID-19 impacts on Sri Lankan government universities and finally the role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing legal education is explored. In addition to these six articles, this edition also features two invited articles that add further depth and breadth to the journal. The first invited article proposes a shift in the role of schools in reimagining education in South Asia, challenging traditional notions of education and advocating for a more holistic and inclusive approach. The second invited article explores the role of education in enhancing legal literacy and access to justice in South Asia, emphasizing the importance of education in empowering individuals and communities to navigate legal systems and advocate for their rights. We are deeply grateful to the authors of these invited articles for their scholarly contributions, which enrich the discourse on education in South Asia and provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and scholars alike.
As we publish this edition of SAJE, we invite our readers to engage with the content, share their feedback, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on education in South Asia. Your feedback is invaluable to us and will help shape the future direction of the journal. Please feel free to contact us at saje@pioneeryouth.org for further information or to share your thoughts.
- Saif Ur Rehman
Secretary
South Asian Journal on Education
Table of Contents
“Explore not Memorise”: Proposing a Shift in the Role of Schools in Reimagining Education in South Asia
02
The Pitfall of Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat: Exploring the Role of Education in Enhancing Legal Literacy and Access to Justice in South Asia
14
The Impacts of Peace Education Gaps on the Local Reconciliation Process (Special reference to School Students and Teachers in the Colombo District)
33
Impact of the Madrasa System on Social Mobility in
Pakistan
47
Sexuality Education: A Promising Future for the South Asian Population
74
Development of Quality Education in South Asia: Implementation
and Development of Self-Directed Learning in Sri Lanka
91
Post-COVID-19 Impact on Sri Lankan Government
Universities
106
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Revolutionizing Legal
Education
120
Preface
The Pitfall of 'Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat': Exploring the Role of Education in Enhancing Legal Literacy and Access to Justice in South Asia
“Explore not Memorise”: Proposing a Shift in the Role of Schools in Reimagining Education in South Asia
Amanthee Harshana Pussepitiya
MA (Reading), BA Greek and Roman Studies, Department of Classical Languages, University of Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka.
Education can be broad yet specific, global yet regional. It also should be sensitive to changing times and the changing student bodies, addressing each new generation’s unique skills, ideologies and problems. This study endeavours to reconceptualize the educational paradigm, focusing on formal education's capacity to stimulate student interest in different branches of knowledge and encouraging independent reading and learning. Generation Alpha and the impact of COVID-19 are pivotal elements in this exercise of reimagining the role of educational institutions. Drawing from World Bank, UNICEF, and UNESCO reports, alongside recent scholarly research, this analysis predominantly centres on the South Asian context, while maintaining broader global relevance throughout the discussion. The solutions proposed are also sensitive to the social, economic, and cultural nuances of South Asia. Primarily focusing on the idea of “formal education as a stimulus” the paper intends to prompt discussion on education’s new directions.
Keywords
Reforming Education, Generation Alpha, Post-pandemic Learning, Smart Learning, Independent Study
Citation
Pussepitiya, A. H. (2023) “Explore not Memorise”: Proposing a Shift in the Role of Schools in Reimagining Education in South Asia. South Asian Journal on Education, 1, 1-13.
Submission Guidelines
The Idea Bank Research Division at Pioneers Youth invites scholarly articles on the topic “Development of Quality Education in South Asia.” for the South Asian Journal on Education (SAJE) 2024, Volume 2.
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Articles must be written in English, focusing on a specific sub-topic of participants preference within the broader theme of Development of Quality Education in South Asia.
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Submission should be in MS Word format (.doc or .docx)
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Paper size Letter (8.5" x 11" inches)
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Word Count 2500–3500 words (excluding reference list and footnotes)
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Font Style: Times New Roman
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Font Size: 12
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Line Spacing 1.5
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Margins 1”
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Referencing Style and Formatting Style APA 7th Edition
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In-text citations and reference list should be used.
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Use footnotes where necessary (footnotes will not be counted in word count).
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All articles should be accompanied by an abstract of 170–230 words and at least six keywords.
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Submissions must be original and should not have been shared elsewhere.
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The selection of articles for the journal is subjected to a blind review process.
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The final decision on articles to be published is made by the Reviewing panel.
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Participants can enter individually or as co-authors.
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The article must be mailed to the following mailing address: saje@pioneersyouth.org along with the names and contact details of the authors.
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Deadline for submission: February 12, 2025, by 11:59 pm (IST).
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A journal containing all approved articles will be published on Pioneers Youth's website as an e-journal with an ISSN, and an online conference will follow the successful publication.
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A certificate of appreciation will be sent to the authors of all published articles.
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Participants can use primary and secondary sources for their research, including official UN reports, academic papers, and relevant data.