Not just Malala

Thousands, maybe millions, need saving

Quality of education is perceived to be a pervasive issue across the world. Systematic assessments of learning outcomes, which have become more frequent in recent years, show problematically low and/or unequal levels of learning in most countries. Pakistan is one of the countries with majority of population being youth. This youth needs direction, urge and motivation to count for something substantial for this country. One such motivation was provided by Malala Yousafzai, a 14-year-old girl shot by unknown militants in Mingora for her firm stance for girls’ education after being labeled as having “secular thoughts”. The efforts of this minor girl are not only appreciated around the globe but are also being hailed for women education in the war torn area of Swat.

Malala gained fame for her untiring efforts to highlight the conditions of people in Swat during the Maulvi FM regime. The perception of the then 11-year-old girl about Taliban was not much different than the observations made by different leading experts on TV channels those days. Her diaries were published by BBC Urdu and helped in opening a new debate about the condition of people during the oppression of militants.

The country is facing problems due to terrorism, sectarianism, ethnic tensions, political intolerance, illiteracy, poverty and many other issues. The children of this country have become an unintentional victim of these issues. The hype to gain more and more viewership has forced many personalities in the electronic media to forget their role. The image of Pakistan is being portrayed as a nation of thugs, terrorists with inept government and corrupt civilian set up. Fingers are being raised on the role of state where the majority of the executive machinery has been left useless due to meddling activities of the international players. Legislature and judiciary are in a continuous tussle as to who is superior in the system. Thus, the concepts of equality, justice and fair play have become nothing more than a dream in the eyes of the public.

Malala Yousafzai has suffered for standing for her basic fundamental rights. The state is equally responsible for her wounds. Article 26 in the United Nation Universal Declaration on Human Rights outlines the right of everyone to free, compulsory, elementary education with higher levels of education to be made available to all without discrimination, although higher education may be merit-based. While recognising an individual’s right to choose their form of education, the Declaration emphasises that, “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

The 18th amendment passed by the present legislature has also made this right into a fundamental right. The state seems to have taken a resolve but the application is seriously lacking in the system. The incidents taking place with Malala, Shazia and Kainat are not new. Hundreds of schools have been destroyed in the country by its own people. Thousands of children are deprived of their basic fundamental rights. It is pertinent to mention that the sufferings observed by the students in Pakistan are directly related to the geopolitical situation in the country. The last two decades have witnessed revolutionary changes in the syllabi at primary education. This incident was witnessed by many other school children who would now have to live with this horrendous memory. “The child,” Al-Ghazali wrote, “is a trust (placed by God) in the hands of his parents, and his innocent heart is a precious element capable of taking impressions.”

Malala is no different from any other kid in Pakistan. Her honest views about the concept of veil may be considered controversial in conservative portion of our society but a unanimous vote of confidence has been found about her demand for right to education in a civilised society. However, the questions do arise now about the role of state in such circumstances where majority of the population comprises of youth who have been let down by both civil and military regimes in providing basic facilities of health, education etc.

The sufferings of Malala and many other kids deprived of their education in Pakistan are the same, though she may be considered unfortunate for becoming a victim due to her symbolic representation of all the children craving for education in Pakistan. The wounds suffered by this little girl will take time to heal but the government still has time to mend its ways. One cannot ignore thousands of children left illiterate in the Waziristan and other tribal regions.

This nation has seen enough bloodshed in the past few decades. The children brought up at a time when bombs and bullets reigned supreme have grown up, or soon will. They would soon be seen running the affairs of this country. Without proper education, we are a depot of suicide bombers where each uneducated child or a misguided child is waiting for his chance to explode, taking many with him. The repercussions of such explosion could prove fatal for the country. A Malala has been saved but thousands, maybe millions, of Malalas still need to be saved.

The writer can be reached at [email protected]