Money Milching

Besides milching money from students, a four-figure tuition fee every month most private institute, pay low salaries (hardly Rs 3,000) to their teachers? The exploitation of teachers in such schools is another factor which, perhaps, is more shameful for us because if the educated block is so vulnerable to professional exploitation, then how would we expect them to provide justice to common people? In some schools, teachers work for a meager pay of Rs 1,000 and many others sign for higher pay while getting low. The discipline in privately managed schools is indeed industry-like, where underpaid teachers are pushed to outperform themselves. Schoolteachers in government schools are paid better than their counterparts in private schools.

In the name of Quality Education

In the name of providing quality education, private schools (better say the modern education shops) have an exorbitant fee structure. After all, what is the fault of children coming from the middle income groups whose parents are being pinched hard by unreasonable fee and other allowances? These institutes not only charge Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 as hefty fee from the students but also charge exorbitant admission fees in the form of donation, annual charges, tuition fee, security charges, transportation and annual functions at the time of admission. In addition to a monthly amount running into thousands of rupees there is propensity to collect it many months in advance without any justification. Another condition is parents are made to buy course books, stationery items etc and uniform from school's/ recommended shops bookshop at nearly double the rate without concession plus thousands of rupees are to be paid out of the guardian's wallet on and off. When it comes to the academics the standard is mediocre, but despite the devastating facts and deteriorating condition of the schools, parents are coerced into relying on these schools, as they do not have alternatives. There are infinite other reports, must be monitored strictly, it will discourage commercialization of education and save hapless parents from the avaricious designs of the school managements.

Private Schools are Exploiting Parents

The manipulators call this profession as an opportunity to serve the masses. And when it comes to earning money, all heinous methods are use to exploit the gullible people. Allured by easy money, private institutions have made education a domain of the rich. Lavish spending by these institutions, the palatial buildings and frequent lavish dinners hosted by them in honour of politicians and VVIPs, speak of the inside story.

The exploitation of the parents and students can be gauged by a traumatic experience recently one mother went through. When she reached at school one fine morning—a private school (named after one herbal medicines manufacturer) opened its doors to students in a Model Town neighbourhood/entry point. She were singled out at the accounts office and told by the accountant that her wards could not go to the classroom, though a day ahead she submitted. Surprisingly she asked for the reason. Accountant told abusively to submit fee of coming months in advance right now. When she complained the administration and directors proved as chip of same block. However, for no fault of them wards were insulted in front of their schoolmates. Was this conduct becoming? It is not end of story. The teachers get a very raw deal from the school’s management with the institution having a very high teacher turnover rate.

Education has been De-valued

A noble mission like education has been devalued by the so-called self-styled contractors of education, not wrong to say responsibility has been handed over to the private sector to a large extent. Owing to lack of governmental control over private institutions have turned education into a commercial activity. But also make a mockery of social justice never skip a chance to shatter the self-confidence of students and parents on monetary considerations.
In fact, mushrooming of private educational institutions can be traced back to the government's failure to effectively monitor these schools----despite the relevant laws and prevent them from fleecing parents are lack of will in implementing the rules. The shabby state of public sector institutions has all brought the education system to a virtual collapse, forcing the students to seek asylum in private institutions. Even those who can barely afford it prefer to send their children to private institutions

Avalanche of Pressure

Today children are subjected to an avalanche of pressures from every quarter to become adults before they are ready to do so. They grow up too quickly. Let them be children for a few more years. It is time that we declare that we will protect our children and begin to build safe environments in which they can live. Single-gender education with its gentler, more controlled social outlets is a ticket for many children. Maybe it is right for your child. What is happening to our children, both boys and girls, is downright disgraceful, and it is about time that all of us speak with one voice on the matter.

Need of the time

Our country now needs a special independent commission to look into the growing levels of school based violence and immoral behaviour of teachers at single-gender schools to change things from the top down. If government/education department undertake an investigation into the happenings in educational institutes and individually plan surprised visit to talk to the students regarding teacher abuse and their inappropriate behaviour statistics would be frightening that this nation would go into deep shock.

Teacher's must stop abusing students

Teacher----modern-day 'guru' symbolizes authority of knowledge and wisdom. If such a person abuses position, deserves severe punishment because schooling youngsters the worst values. The authorities’ inaction condones, their reluctance to address the issue and to prosecute perpetrators allows ‘abuse’ to flourish unchecked means encouraging it. We need to recognize the complex set of issues involved in gender violence in schools. It requires concerted efforts at all levels, including that governments initiate media and community-based campaigns around abuse that link up with human rights, ministries to ensure that professional codes of conduct are enforced and offenders prosecuted quickly and severely, communities and families to work closely with schools, ministries and NGOs to tackle school based violence matters and immoral behaviour of male teachers at girls schools.

Initiative by Haryana Government

The Haryana Government reportedly took action after receiving written complaints from the parents of female students protesting against their daughters being taught by male teachers. As a policy will now employ only women teachers in all government girls’ schools from the primary level to the senior secondary level. At non-availability of female teachers then male teachers over the age of 50 years will be appointed. The concerned authorities drafted policy after meeting concerned people of education management and also discussing with private school managements to control incidents of immoral behaviour.

Single-sex education -----the subject of increasing interest

Single-sex education has been the subject of increasing interest among researchers. Harvard University researcher Carol Gilligan established that girls think, interact, display leadership and make decisions in a unique way both psychologically and develop-mentally. Male-based model simply did not fit the way girls learn”. Dr. Ken Rowe, Principal Research Fellow at the Australian Council for Educational Research, presented research results, "Co-educational settings have limitation to accommodate the large differences in cognitive, social and developmental growth rates of girls and boys between the ages of 12 and 16. Evidence suggests that during these key adolescent years, single-sex settings better accommodate the specific developmental needs of students”

SINGLE GENDER SCHOOLING AND POLICIES

Who will break the conspiracy of silence on this most serious problem, exposes young people to a range of abusive institutionalized practices? Children are frequently abused in the very place where they should feel most safe, sometimes by those entrusted with their care - namely teachers and principals.

“Policies for single-gender schooling need to be more carefully crafted and provide an infrastructure of support,” says Dr. Mohammad Hafiz, Head of Sociology Department, Punjab University. “Here the question is: are our schools providing quality education? No, they are preparing our kids for ideal world not for real world. These kinds of incidents must be bring to light to common masses to make them aware to shield their wards. I must suggest for the healthy society even a single incident must be discouraged at initial stage because later could be alarming. Government must have to draft a policy for girls school to hire well reputed tender aged male teacher if there is need, and within specific time period replace with female teacher, which is more desirable”, he suggested.

How will female students ever feel safe? Parents prefer to have female teachers for their girls. Extensive exemptions are provided to the private schools due to which engaged more in discriminatory practices, while such practices are strictly prohibited in public schools and other sectors. Independent schools develop their own criteria for hiring teachers. Noteworthy it is like a practice applied by Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education that for school affiliation at secondary level in girls’ schools male teachers are prohibited. But in that school the four male teachers has been cloaked as clerical staff during the inspection visit by BISE officials.

On contacting Provincial Education Minister stumble upon ever repeated statement about working towards new legislation for the regulation of private sector schools. At a time when the government is committed to ensuring Education for All, especially emphasizing on girl education such acts drive away girls from the very portals of education. At least, the system should be accountable, due processes of law set in motion to bring guilty to book.

AVALANCHE OF PRESSURE AT PRIVATE GIRLS SCHOOLS

"Private schools are elitist." Do you think a statement is true? Actually there's some truth. But when you examine in detail, you realize that there's much more to it.

Single-sex schools are fewer today because Coeducation firmly established in our country for over a decade. Single-gender education has a delightful way of encouraging children to be fearless and enthusiastic. Girls do experience major problems in school. Abuse accusations from hundreds of children at private schools are prompting growing calls from parents and rights groups for a full-scale investigation.

Middle school is perhaps one of the toughest time periods of growing up. It is the awkward transition from child to teen, when big changes and added responsibilities come into play. For many middle school students, it is their social network that matters most.

Some of the stories I am hearing are as chilling as they are heart-wrenching. I have had several telephone from Mrs. Ishrat Masroor, mother, who is deeply hurt after acid throwing at her daughter at school premises, located in posh area of Lahore called Gulberg 3, Firdous Market. “One morning I received call from vice principal Javed to reach school. There I found my daughter was crying having burn marks on chin and neck. She told her class fellow threw liquid via used syringe. She splashed water but black bubbles appeared on skin. Javed took her to doctor and get fake report stating just infection due to water. We approached another doctor who revealed its acid. We asked for the doctor report, Javed refused and get mad on us that it’s not a serious issue, if not acceptable then leave the school. When inquired found that teacher asked to bring syringe to have some fun in class. This matter of great negligence reflects teachers have zero control over students and we can’t declare that school is providing safe environment for children. I would like to ask why always the complainant has to quit “she narrated.

I conducted interviews with girls and parents, and left me weak at the knees. None of them could look me in the eyes as they spoke tentatively about their experiences.

Another mother was sinking because has lost her ability to speak the truth. Finally, wishing anonymity revealed about the same school, “I left numb on getting complaint from her daughter that male teachers teaching in locked class rooms. And when one of the staff member, happened to be my friend told that Javed used to say that couple of staff members are hurdle between him and young female teachers I removed my daughter to another private institution. But what's more important is I don't want my daughter to feel improper while talking with her male teacher. That might influence her badly at an age where children are impressionable. But striking is this becoming culture of a girls' school that has caused the parents to be on high alert about male teacher presence”.

Girls tried to raise the issue of unnecessary attention by male teachers to the spoilt girls and bullying the complainant. They resented the behaviour of male teachers and expressed their discomfiture but principal is a chip of same block. They initially were hesitant to narrate their plight about bullying which continued for many months unnoticed. Fear of abusive teachers and mistrust of other staff turn a blind eye prevents pupils from reporting incidents. On the contrary administration warned don’t poke their nose otherwise be ready to face consequences like expulsion. School management must intervene effectively to reduce bullying by developing a safe and supportive school climate to solve bully victim problems it is regrettably that vice principal (Javed) backing immoral acts. Sorry state is parents left with the only option to leave the school because no action was taken against the guilty and cloaked Javed as good teacher.

One of my own family members also experienced the trauma of ill-treatment by the management at the same private girl school. She told “My daughters admitted couple of months back. Since then they has been complained about ''Immoral behavior” of students. Once told the Vice Principal gave his mobile to the eager girls to go of school. Spoilt girls intimidated others if exposed them Javed will expel them. I advised to pay attention to studies. One day gauging anxiety I asked. Though reluctant to tell due to the fear that girls will retaliate on revealing. Finally revealed one group of class fellows always talks inappropriate like they has boy friends, she is in love with fifth class kid, and compel let’s make attempt to smoke for experimentation and so on.”
“I finally brought to the notice of one of the parent, to amend ways of your ward. Next day girls bullied my daughters. The noteworthy is teachers standing there also never missed a chance to tease them because they exposed. When I reached the school the girls misbehaved that how I dared to launch complain to their parents and it’s none of my business that they has boy friends, smokes or drinks. Standing there Javed and rest of female teachers was silent spectators. I reported to Principal Afshan Akmal and teacher Majida, but their attitude left me numb and taught me children are enjoying modern life. It’s not end of story. On returning home the foul mouthed Javed on phone warned if we can’t tolerate such environment we could leave school. Being pathetic individual I approached school director Tariq Rafiq, also director Lahore Development Authority, Planning and Development Department. He called the meeting next day but concealed wrongdoings of Principal and vice principal. He misbehaved and suggested if we can’t tolerate then should leave the school. Hearing this I was taken aback that management as usual heedless and neglectful. Finally, after experiencing mockery of social justice, we seek asylum in another private institution. I do want explanation what was so different about this case that girls deserved no punishment?” She narrated.

Words out of Education Minister

Punjab Education Minister Mian Imran Masood said “the issues of education were linked with the cultural issues as most parents in Pakistan didn’t send their children (both gender) to school due to cultural constraints. The government has taken numerous focused initiatives for the development of education sector. The Punjab Government has increased the annual education budget from Rs.34 billion to Rs. 54 billion which is 24 % of the total budget.”
He kept on saying that “The Punjab Government under Education Sector Reforms Programme (PSERP), initiated by the World Bank, has improved standard of education and literacy rate in the province. WB providing all facilities in the 63,000 public sector schools in the province and extended the three-year 100$ annually (interest-free credit for the Punjab Government is from the International Development Association (IDA) because of the success of the programme and regards revolutionary programme, “Hamara Khawab, Parha Likha Punjab” as the best in the world. WFP is the food aid arm of the United Nations helps feed about half a million female beneficiaries in Pakistan donated seven trucks to the Pakistan government to help monitor the activities and transport edible oil to schools. In Punjab, is providing assistance in 7 districts, helps girl up to class 5 in the programme receives a four-litre tin of edible oil for every month.”
Speaking about the schemes initiated by the Punjab government, he claimed “the Punjab government as the first to initiate a workable scheme for parents to allow their daughters to go to schools. The objective is to provide qualitative education to each and every child of the province without any discrimination. The formal and non-formal education and training especially for girls are the vehicles of empowerment. Women constitute 50 per cent of the total population in the country, and there would not be any development if half of the population were uneducated. The Punjab government has also stressed on the need to recruit female teachers for classes 1 to 5,
He went on to explain that the government intends to reach the disadvantaged population groups in rural and urban areas with emphasis on girls and women. He mentioned the government’s plans to provide free education up to matriculation. Thousands of regular girl students for achieving attendance levels of up to 80 per cent per month are receiving stipends of Rs200 per month as incentive on a quarterly basis, plus free text books up to Matric (to both gender) are reaching the students in a timely manner, and community involvement is showing encouraging results. The Punjab government pays the stipends to the district governments, which send them on to the girl students through postal money orders. The schemes have been highly successful and girl students who once ignored their classes are now attending regularly. School-based violence in general and gender-based violence in particular is also a major and growing threat to girls’ education. We has been striving our best to discourage school-based corporal punishment,” he added.
“Progress of a nation depends upon the participation and education of both genders. A number of programmes and projects that focuses on female literacy have been initiated both in private and public sectors. The ministry provides funds to NGOs that assist in bringing back youths who have left school or college and have spent most of their time in laboring for survival”, he concluded.