Chowrangi

[Editor’s Note: Following the post on the Controversy of Sex Education By Dawood Public School, we are overwhelmed by responses in and against favor of the school. We would like to emphasize that our post was mainly compiled from what is already available in the media, offline or online.

Below is a write-up by an alleged student of Dawood Public School, supporting the CEO and criticizing the parents.

If someone has pretinent information related to this issue or want to share their side of the story, Chowrangi will be glad to offer publishing space.]

THE REAL STORY

There has been a lot of hue and cry about the Dawood Public School recently with the media publishing rumors, hearsay and lies, it has become hard to sort out the truth and find what the real story is. Being in the school, I know what is actually happening and I am sorry to say that what our media has published is either lies or a distortion of the truth. Many of these news items seem to be direct attacks aimed at the CEO which undermines the integrity of journalism.

The basic issue appears to be sex education which let me assure is not being taught in the school. The topic is present in the book but it has been stapled and thus is not part of the curriculum. The topic was never meant to be taught hence this is a baseless accusation. Other unfounded rumors being spread as news are mandatory music lessons, the removal of dupatta from the uniform, the abolishment of quran classes. The facts are

1. Music lessons are a part of a wide range of optional co curricular activities that include sports such as cricket, scrabble, badminton etc. Recently cooking and gardening have also been introduced as part of the education program.

2. The uniform has been changed from white shalwar qameez dupatta to brown trousers and blue shirt and dupatta. For primary classes 1 and 2 the uniform has been changed from white frock to brown skirt and blue shirt.

3. The quran classes have always been part of the curriculum and are treated as a regular subject with students giving monthly and final exams.

As for the issue of male teachers, Dawood has always been focused on giving quality education to its students. The teachers are hired on the basis of their qualification and capabilities not their gender.

There is one issue that has been totally ignored by the media and what is published is a complete distortion of the truth. On Thursday classes were disrupted by the media and protesters entering the school. The protesters became aggressive, forcing the CEO in leaving the school in tears. Upon hearing this news, the students came out for voluntary protest against this act. At this the parents became violent and verbally abused the students some going as far as physically abusing the teachers and threatening the principal to stop the kids. They tore the banners that the kids carried and caused such mayhem and spread such fear that many younger students dissolved into tears. Due to this the students were sent back inside and the school was closed on Friday. It is also worthwhile to point out that before all of this the expelled students were re-instated and the books taken away from the kids so that the teachers could remove the stapled pages.

The parents have turned the school into a media circus which is having a very adverse affect on the students of this organization. There is fear and uncertainty in the school which has sprouted many rumors especially since the media is no longer a reliable source of information. The school is also rumored to remain closed on Monday and Tuesday. This is causing heavy loss of studies for the students and disrupting the normal activities of the school. These activities have resulted in maligning the name of a reputable institute that imparts quality education in a secure environment.

(Written by Maria Said)

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