Constructive conflict education helps students examine the root causes of violence, analyze its consequences, and explore the perspectives of both perpetrators and victims. While valuable, conflict education can also be challenging, especially for young people who may have directly witnessed violence or know those affected by it. So why bring these difficult topics into the classroom? Because ignoring conflict doesn’t make it disappear.
Research shows that avoiding tough conversations can in fact deepen divisions, fuel resentment, and increase the risk of recurring violence. In contrast, structured, critical dialogue helps students bridge divides, build understanding, and become agents of peace.
Case Study: Literacy Amidst Violent Conflict in Nigeria
In our Literacy Amidst Violent Conflict program, secondary school students in northwest Nigeria explore terrorism and religious extremism through the young adult novel Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree. In the chapter Nothing To Do With Islam, the protagonist Ya Ta questions the violent actions of Boko Haram—actions they claim are rooted in Islam but starkly contradict its teachings.
Teachers guided students through reflective questions based on Ya Ta’s inner dialogue: “Could Islam, whose name stands for peace and submission to God, encourage its adherents to work for the death and destruction of human beings? Could the same Allah who asked his followers to give alms to beggars…also ask them to slaughter unarmed boys?… How can you start your deeds with ‘In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,’ and yet raze villages and destroy homes?” (p.156)
Students analyzed these questions by comparing Islamic teachings with Boko Haram’s actions in a structured chart.
They then reflected on broader themes through the following prompts:
- How do these quotes relate to religious extremism?
- What message is the author conveying through Ya Ta’s questions?
- Can you think of an example of religious or ethnic violence in your community?
- What steps can we take to promote peace despite our differences?
This activity created space for democratic dialogue, allowing students to ask difficult questions and critically examine how religion, ethnicity, and ideology can be weaponized. Rather than spreading hate, students learned to:
- Identify contradictions between peaceful teachings and violent actions.
- Understand the complexities of extremism and propaganda.
- Develop empathy by considering multiple perspectives.
- Explore peaceful alternatives to conflict.
By engaging in these conversations, young people can challenge harmful narratives and become advocates for tolerance and nonviolence.
Try It in Your Classroom
Want to bring constructive conflict education into your classroom? Explore our step-by-step guide to facilitating these critical conversations. Download here: Nothing to do with Islam
How do you approach conflict education? Share your experiences in the comments!
