A Comparison

A COMPARISON two centuries. Today, the root of many problems faced by Muslims can be traced to this educational backwardness, as a lack of education results in a lack of awareness, and those who lack awareness are often destined for ruin in this world. Now, let’s examine another scenario. After World War II, in 1945, Japan was defeated and found itself under complete control of the United States in the political, military, and administrative spheres. The U.S. disarmed Japan and introduced radical changes to its educational system. In December 1945, American General MacArthur issued foundational instructions regarding educational administration aimed at eradicating militarism and the nationalistic mindset among the Japanese. Many wartime teachers were dismissed, and a strict separation of religion and politics was imposed. Shinto teachings were removed from the curriculum. The goal was to shape Japan’s new generation according to American ideals. In 1946, a team of American education experts arrived in Japan to implement a detailed plan, culminating in the Report of the United States Education Mission to Japan. In line with this report, Japan’s Basic Education Law and School Education Law were established in 1947, and an educational board was set up in 1948 to ensure that Japan’s educational system aligned with American preferences. Unlike Muslim leaders in India, the Japanese did not protest or boycott this “educational colonialism.” Without losing a single day, they enrolled their entire generation in this “American education system.”