Civic Education and Community Development: A Participatory Approach in FATA’s Educational Institutions

Abstract

This paper discusses how civic education can help improve community development in the educational institutions of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which have now become part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The research adopts a participatory action research (PAR) approach to show the importance of involving local communities, designing inclusive and locally relevant curricula, and encouraging active citizenship. Drawing on existing studies, policy documents, and real-life community projects, the paper identifies both challenges and opportunities for implementing civic education in a region that has long been politically and socially sidelined. The findings suggest that educational strategies aligned with local culture, supported by community participation, can lead to more democratic engagement and sustainable progress.