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
Following the success of the first volume, the Idea Bank of Pioneers Youth is pleased to call for submissions for the Second Volume of SAJE. This volume will focus on the critical issue of "Climate Education", with a special focus on the role of youth activism in combating this challenge.
Submissions should focus on one or more of the following sub-themes:
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Integrating Climate Education into Curricula: Exploring innovative strategies for embedding climate education across primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula, and the challenges of interdisciplinary approaches.
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Role of Teachers in Climate Education: Examining the training, awareness, and capacity-building required for educators to effectively impart climate literacy and foster critical thinking about environmental issues.
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Community-Based Climate Education: Investigating the role of informal education systems, grassroots movements, and NGOs in spreading climate awareness and fostering local environmental stewardship.
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Climate Education through Technology: Evaluating the use of digital tools, e-learning platforms, and interactive media in enhancing climate education and engaging diverse audiences.
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Barriers to Climate Education: Identifying socio-economic, cultural, and policy-related obstacles to implementing climate education, particularly in developing regions, and proposing actionable solutions.
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Youth Leadership and Climate Education: Highlighting the role of climate education in empowering young people to take leadership roles in environmental activism, policy-making, and community resilience-building.
Submission Guidelines
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Articles must be written in English, focusing on a specific sub-topic of participants' preferences within the theme proposed by the journal.
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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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Referencing and Formatting Style: APA 7th Edition
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Inclusion of in-text citations and a reference list is mandatory.
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Use footnotes to add emphasis where necessary (footnotes will not be counted in the total word count)
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All articles should be mandatorily accompanied by an abstract of 200–350 words and at least 6 keywords.
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The authors are required to provide the DOIs or URLs for all the online sources cited in their research. (It is instructed to cite the online version of a research source from its original source instead of a secondary source.)
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The research can be authored individually as well as co-authored, but the number of co-authors should not be more than 3 in any case.
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Submissions must be original and should not have been published 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 executive committee.
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The article must be mailed to the following mailing address: saje@pioneersyouth.org, along with the names, affiliations, and contact details of the authors.
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Deadline for submission: March 3, 2025, by 11.59 pm (IST)