Saturday, May 8, 2010
Wherefore liberation?
Another female lecturer has fallen victim to attacks by the Baluchistan Liberation Army. Anybody see a pattern?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
More from Balochistan
The Baluchistan Liberation Army has taken responsibility for the murder of Nazima Talib, assisstant professor in the mass communication department of Balochistan University. According to the coverage in Dawn News, she had been teaching there for 23 years. The targeted killing was carried out under the pretext of revenge for the treatment of female political workers. It makes no sense.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Why so Inefficient?
Public education over the world seems to be the way of life and children of each area go the public schools provided for them. Then why do we in Pakistan look down upon Government Colleges and Schools? Why are private schools the only 'right' type of education system for us?
Correct, it's the buildings, the curriculum and the teachers (or lack thereof). Nadia A. Rehmani (link to article), elaborates on all the points that make education in Pakistan a 'problem' and never the 'solution'.
The problem has been identified, we need to work towards the solution.
Photograph: Dawn.com
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Education at Risk
Shiza Shahid
Measures of hindering education have recently escalated with the deteriorating condiditions of the country. Acts ranging from campus intimidation to falling standards of discipline have become common accepted norms in the society. The deteriorating quality of education has given way to loosing the educational institutions all at once. It not only poses a serious threat for the youth at large but adds to the dire conditions of the country at hand, leading to a massive destruction of the infrastructure of Pakistan.
Measures of hindering education have recently escalated with the deteriorating condiditions of the country. Acts ranging from campus intimidation to falling standards of discipline have become common accepted norms in the society. The deteriorating quality of education has given way to loosing the educational institutions all at once. It not only poses a serious threat for the youth at large but adds to the dire conditions of the country at hand, leading to a massive destruction of the infrastructure of Pakistan.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Quetta killings - targeting potential
Over the last five days, 18 people have died as a result of targeted killings in Quetta. The latest victim was renowned educationist Fazle Bari, principal of the boys' school Tameer-e-Nau. He was shot down while driving to work this morning. His death prompted a protest by 250 students later in the day.
Balochistan is the largest, most underdeveloped province of Pakistan. The arid and inhospitable terrain is only part of the reason for its lagging progress. A huge reservoir of untapped resources exists in the form of minerals and human capital, but its potential is yet to be realised.
Creative Commons image: flickr user Wenchmagnet
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Bachay sab hee achay
Madeeha Ansari
Crime is a complicated phenomenon. There are always so many things behind it that it is difficult to blame the hand that steals any more than the invisible one that pushes it forward.
Whether or not they are directly responsible for their first alleged crimes, rehabilitation becomes a serious concern for juvenile prisoners. That is why not-for-profit actors like Voice of the Civil Society (VOTCS) are now working to establish schools and workshops within juvenile jails, so that the imprisoned youth can access a different way of life. Exposure to new ideas can only be a good thing. Philanthropist Irum Farooque told Dawn how she discusses "an array of topics with the young inmates, from a young man’s responsibility to his parents, how to behave with women, and even topics like jihad and suicide bombing."
However streetsmart or hardened they may have thought themselves to be, the youth have responded to being treated with respect.
"They started understanding me and they started waiting for me,” said Farooque.
Of course.
Crime is a complicated phenomenon. There are always so many things behind it that it is difficult to blame the hand that steals any more than the invisible one that pushes it forward.
Whether or not they are directly responsible for their first alleged crimes, rehabilitation becomes a serious concern for juvenile prisoners. That is why not-for-profit actors like Voice of the Civil Society (VOTCS) are now working to establish schools and workshops within juvenile jails, so that the imprisoned youth can access a different way of life. Exposure to new ideas can only be a good thing. Philanthropist Irum Farooque told Dawn how she discusses "an array of topics with the young inmates, from a young man’s responsibility to his parents, how to behave with women, and even topics like jihad and suicide bombing."
However streetsmart or hardened they may have thought themselves to be, the youth have responded to being treated with respect.
"They started understanding me and they started waiting for me,” said Farooque.
Of course.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Deadly Blast in Swat Valley
A tragic bomb blast in the Swat Valley, a suspected Taliban suicide attack, ripped through a busy market in Mingora on Monday, killing 8 people. In response to our concerned messages to Ziauddin Yousafzai, the owner of the Khushal Public School in Swat Valley, he replied:
"Let us not loose heart for our usual life must continue despite all hurdles. This is life and we should keep on crawling for survival on our own. This blast took away eight people, but we are blessed for thousands survived. Let us change our perceptions to think positively. Let us try to stay safe, brave and determined."
Our hearts go out to the people of Swat Valley, to Ziauddin, and all our school-girls over there.
[Picture: Ziauddin at a Shajar-e-Ilm Retreat with Mariam Raza Zaidi]
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