Women contribution in Dentistry

Women in Dentistry in Pakistan

By  

Sadia Wali

Dental health is an essential part of the overall health system. With modern lifestyle, dental problems are becoming common among all sections of the society.  Improper dental care creates problems like early tooth shedding, tooth decay, enamel loss, etc. All these problems require proper suggestions of dentists to keep teeth healthy and fit for a long time. Thus, dentistry as a profession has become more demanding and because of its promising nature, a lot of young aspirants especially women are entering this profession. 

Today women are doing as much work as men; they are more productive and efficient. They are acquiring higher merit and are successful in both medical and dental fields.

 The number of women in dentistry continues to grow.  According to the American Dental Association, since 2001, the total market of active licensed women dentists has gone from 26,870 to 47,814, 43.8%increase. By the end of 201I- 12, 29,055 women were members of the ADA.  

  

In Pakistan women have succeeded marvelously in every sphere of life and have proved that they are more dedicated and committed towards their profession. Women form an increasingly important part of the trained workforce in Pakistan.  Over the last one-and-a-half years, women continue to enter dental profession. Pakistan Medical & Dental Council has been registering more women than men. 280 women and 166 men secured PMDC registration of their BDS degrees. From, 2008, to 2012, under PMDC registrations, 872 female dentists were registered. According to Sindh Health Department, In Sindh, 1,900 women hold the license to practice dentistry, there are said to be 1,277 women dental professionals in Sindh, but the number of male dental licensees is relatively low (1,242).  The situation is no different in Punjab and the federal area, where female dentists outnumber male dental practitioners (1,863 to 1,730). The statistics provided show a remarkable fact that currently the country has more female dentists than male one.

One of the reasons that the scope of dentistry is rising among females is that women who are seeking dental care feel more relaxed with a female dentist. Families who have a conservative mindset find it more appropriate that the female members of the family get treated by a woman.

‘Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions of one’s life. Being a professional dentist I believe that success in any field of life requires dedication, motivation and commitment says a young dentist. It is a matter of great pride for our country that talented women are working on an equal footing with men in every field of the life.’

‘I took up the profession of dentistry as I think that career in dentistry is personally fulfilling since a dentist is performing an important community service to help people uphold their health and appearance. I admired this significant role played by dentists. As I always had a good experience with dentist in my childhood, I opt to become a dentist’ says a demonstrator at a dental college in Karachi.

A dental graduate feels that a competent dentist has the knowledge and skills to deal with a patient’s oral health and also more efficiently serve the community. It is her aim to offer free dental services to the needy people.

A professional female dentist practicing full time in a clinic opines, “It is absolutely essential for a young dentist    to avail the opportunity of   learning different new technologies in dentistry to enhance her skills and capabilities.

A young lecturer says that dentistry is an appealing career; the field of dentistry is more preferable and desirable profession for women as it offers the flexibility to balance a professional life and personal goals, either they can work part time or full life. Although a significant majority is currently practicing (96%), about 20% are working part-time.

According to PDC, the number of women clinical faculty members has gradually increased. Until 2000, there had been only two women deans and very few associate/assistant deans .In 20011-12, there were 111 associate/assistant women deans and twelve women deans. These data show a progressive increase in the presence of women in all domains of dentistry, especially in leadership positions in dental education.

Now more women are doing postgraduate studies, FCPS, MDS, MCPS, MSC, Mphil and PhD and are engaged in teaching. Mostly, women opt to teach in the field of both clinical and basic dental sciences simultaneously they also do clinical practice to enhance their dental skills.    However women are still lagging behind in the field of specialization. A few women have learnt modern techniques and have specialized in different fields of dentistry.

Sarwat Imran, a professional dentist, graduated from de‘Montmorency of Dentistry, Lahore. She efficiently handles the cases of orthodontists, dental implantation and replacements and oral surgery. She feels that there is an essential need of female specialist in pedodontists and periodontists, because presently there are none in Pakistan. Female pedodontists provide complete dental care of children from birth to the end of adolescence, whereas female periodontists are specialists in gum diseases, which often occur in pregnant and menopausal women.   

Dr. Asma Ahmad has won the distinction as the first female laser dentist artist of Pakistan dentistry. She said that it is necessary for the young dentists to acquire professional training in the field of laser dentistry and then educate the masses about the benefits of this technology.

  

Prof Dr. Shakila Nazir and Prof. Nazia Yazdanie have done PhD.  Some other female specialist dentists are Dr Ninette Banday, Dr. Tasleem Hossein, Dinaz Gandhi, Dr Nadia Hussai ( model) and Dr. Urooj Mumtaz( cricketer).

A demonstrator in a dental college emphasized that dental graduates must opt for postgraduate studies as it provides the knowledge of modern developments in the field of dentistry. Moreover, earning prospects also rise up.   

An Associate female professor in a dental college thinks that women need to be more proficient in clinical and communication skills,   develop more patience, concentration and accuracy in their work. Strong interpersonal skills will help them to pursue their profession more efficiently.

The demand for dental services is growing in Pakistan. We need more women dentists who could provide awareness to women and children regarding dental care. Pakistani women dentists being highly qualified and experienced have changed the perception of the world.

With their promising talent, they have developed their potentials and expertise in the field of dentistry, thus establishing the fact that they can excel men in any field of life. To boost up the scope of dentistry among women, the Government and PMDC with their collaboration should provide education and research programmes of advance level to the teaching faculty. The post graduate studies and research work will helps to prepare the best teaching faculty that could provide knowledge and vast learning to young dental students.  To improve their clinical practices, women must be encouraged to opt for specialization in different fields of dentistry.  Workshops, seminars and dental courses will help to promote their clinical expertise and practical skills.

Non-threatening environment at schools

Student self-respect: How we ruin it

By Sadia Wali

  “A child only pours herself into a little funnel or into a little box when she’s afraid of the world—when she’s been defeated. But when a child is doing something she’s passionately interested in, she grows like a tree—in all directions. This is how children learn, how children grow. They send down a taproot like a tree in dry soil. The tree may be stunted, but it sends out these roots, and suddenly one of these little taproots goes down and strikes a source of water. And the whole tree grows." 

John Holt writes in his book, How Children Fail (1967)

Bearing in mind, our belief that the harmonious development of a child’s personality grows up in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding the question continues to ponder in my mind is that do we treat our children as individual?

The physical and mental maturity of the child nurtures in a care-free and non-threatening environment.  A book prepared by Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) “State of Pakistan’s Children 2014 claims that 35,000 Pakistani children drop-out of schools every year, and nearly 50 percent of them, run away from schools due to the prevalence of harsh environment at schools, or commit suicide due to the fear of punishment or failing in the examination.

A comprehensive study of both government and private schools in Pakistan showed that the standard of education is falling due to monotonous and unexciting class room environment. Overcrowded classrooms, multi-grade teaching, poor quality textbooks, and lack of facilities and equipment hamper the efficiency of the teachers and compel them to use physical violence in classrooms. The most common form of physical punishment handed out to children are: Beating on the palms of the hand with a stick. Slap on the face. Kicking and punching. Pulling hair. Boxing ears. Forced to stand or bend down in an uncomfortable position.

The following definition, by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, is the most widely accepted understanding of what we mean by corporal punishment:

“Any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. Most involves hitting (smacking, slapping, spanking) children with the hand or with an implement—whip, stick, belt, shoe, wooden spoon, etc. But it can also involve, for example, kicking, shaking or throwing children, scratching, pinching, burning, and scalding. In addition, there are other non-physical forms of punishment which are also cruel and degrading and thus incompatible with the Convention. These include, for example, punishment which humiliates, degrades, threatens, scares or ridicules the child.”

According to the Annual Report of Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children year 2013- 2014 says that 33 states have legally banned Corporal Punishments in all settings. Pakistan is one of the 26 states where the current legislation does not fully prohibit corporal punishments in all the settings. Over 70 per cent of teachers in Pakistan agree with the statement that corporal punishment is useful.

While surveying the schools in different localities of Karachi, I was stunned to see the plight of the children in the classroom facing brutal and unsympathetic behavior of the teachers. As reported by the school heads that corporal punishments are banned in their schools, it did not seem to be true as I saw a teacher brutally shouting and verbally humiliating the child. Another teacher slapped the child, twisted his ears and threw a book on his head; a boy’s head was smashed on the table by the teacher to make him sit straight, a child beaten by a stick thrice which caused severe shoulder injury. A boy was talking to his fellow when he got a heavy kick on his back which made him unconscious.

Feeling irritably cranky and despondent as I observed these atrocious behaviors, I went to the principal room and asked her why she did not take surprise visit of the school and see what was going on in the classrooms. Parents do not send their children to these expensive schools to face humiliation and disgrace, rather they want their children to be valued and respected.  The School is a nursery which builds up the personality and character of a child and develops humility, tolerance, respect and civility in children. It is a sacred place where children learns values, norms and conduct to live a positive life.  Teachers are considered to be the good exemplars with whom the pupils get inspired, acquire good traits and virtuous characteristics.

Our children are our future. Raise them well with good values and character. It's a legacy we've been entrusted with. So don't neglect it.

Mufti Menk

Can we justify what we are doing with our posterity?

Some case study and responses of children regarding physical punishments in school really brought tears in my eyes as how inhumanely and miserably children are treated at schools.

  

Marium is a student of grade two in a prestige school of Karachi. The concerned mother narrated the harsh behavior of the teacher. “That barbarous and cruel teacher hit my daughter on the face so severely that cheek bones and nose got damaged, her face and eyes swelled. The daughter came home with bruises on her face. The punishment was given for not learning the lesson”.

Waqar’s father said that he admitted his son in one of the best private schools of Karachi which appeared to be different than other schools. However he soon realized that schools are only meant to destroy the natural intelligence and creativeness of a young child. His nine years old son, Waqar studies in grade four, complained that the teachers in his school mistreat children for even small matters. Students are hit on the legs and beaten on the palms of the hands if class work and home work is not done or notebooks are not properly maintained. Waqar is reluctant to go to school and he tried to come up with different excuses such as ‘feeling sick’, “I have a headache.”  I hate my teacher!” “School is boring.”  and other remarks.

Ayesha and her friends in grade six related the cruel behavior of social studies teacher. “She always give difficult assignments.  When students ask her to explain the assignment, she verbally abuses children by saying, “Kia mae aap ki naukar hoan.” “I am not your servant to explain you every time.”   When students ask her to purchase maps or other required material she stubbornly said “Is it my duty to do your assignment or ‘purchase the material from the book shop?”

  

Imran hate his mathematics teacher. Students of grade eight found this teacher unbearable.  When the teacher explained some mathematical terms and if weak students do not follow it up, the teacher impolitely remarks: “Were you sleeping when I was explaining.” In an insulting manner she says “Tumhary parent’s ki naukar hoan bar bar explains karon, pehlay kaahan thay.” When I was insulted in front of the other classmates, I became so upset and felt as if I am not a human being and I have no feelings”. All the students hate that teacher and are least interested in attending her class.’

A10-year-old girl said, “Teachers beat us badly when we are late, my friend has scars where the teacher hit her so hard.”

A 14- year old girl felt, “It brings harm to children, weakens their cognitive and emotional development, damage their self- esteem and confidence and develops insecurity in children.”  

The worst situation is observed in schools of under privilege areas where children continue to study for seven hours, i.e. from 7.30 p.m. to 1.00 p.m. without any lunch break. Sustainable source of clean water is also not provided and children are exposed to various atrocious punishments and had to face verbal abuse as well.

As I feel in mostly schools, corporal punishments are practiced for the sake of keeping the class disciplined.

“I do beat. It is my duty to make sure children behave well. If I don’t punish they will get out of control. When nothing else works, I use a stick and twist the ears of the child.” This was the harsh attitude of a head master who had fifteen years of teaching experience.

Concerned about bullying? A coordinator of the senior section of the school said, “We have to adopt strict and harsh behavior with some rowdy children who being too violent harm other children and also disrupt the class environment. We either suspend the child for the misbehavior. Report it to the parents or expel the student to show that bullying is prohibited in school.”

The principal of O level section said. “Being the head of the school, I and the benefactor of the school have to wisely deal with  the teachers,  not to threaten or warn a teacher who needs to correct  his or her behavior towards manipulating a child. In some cases we accommodate the teacher as we find her command on teaching the subject well although she lacks class control. There we find the classroom environment a bit disorganized and undisciplined. But we do help and support the teachers to improve their teaching skills.”

A senior teacher said,

“Corporal punishment in school would not promote well-disciplined students, but only promote a culture where violence is accepted and encouraged. The actual consequences is that corporal punishment only increase violence and students lose their self- confidence and self- esteem.”

World-renowned therapist Alice Miller has devoted a lifetime to studying the cruelties inflicted on children. Alice Miller in her book, ‘Child Mistreatment, Child Abuse’ writes,

 “Almost all small children are smacked during the first three years of life when they begin to walk and to touch objects which may not be touched. This happens at exactly the time when the human brain builds up its structure and should thus learn kindness, truthfulness, and love but never, never cruelty and lies. Teachers and guardians who abuse their children, both physically and mentally, leave them embarrassed and hurt.

Alice Miller opened our eyes to the devastating effects of of spanking and other disciplinary traumas. In her book,’ For Your Own Good: Hidden Cruelty in Child-rearing and the Roots of Violence’ she wrote, “Our bodies retain memories of humiliation, causing panoply of physical ills and dangerous levels of denial. This denial, necessary for the child's survival, leads to emotional blindness and finally to mental barriers that cut off awareness and inability to absorb new ways of learning. Cruelty to a "bad child" will make that child into a bad adult and later create a bad world, unless an enlightened witness comes to the rescue. A child respected and taken seriously will create a different world.”

Should we expect our schools to be changed?

The idea of peaceful classroom begins with getting rid of violence in schools. (Source: Kaufman, M. (2000) Conflict resolution- finding better ways to help boys and girls solve problems, UNICEF)

Prohibition of the Corporal Punishment Bill 2013 was approved by the National Assembly (NA) is a positive step towards abolishing extreme form of violence from schools. The bill has declared any form of corporal punishment of children in academic institutions illegal. Individuals found to be involved in the acts would be sentenced to one year in prison, Rs 50,000 fine or both. 

Section 89 of the PPC (Pakistan Penal Code 1860) (No XLV) empowers parents, teachers and other guardians to use corporal punishment as a means to discipline and correct the behavior of under-12 children. However, such punishment is required to be moderate and reasonable.In case the punishment inflicts serious injuries as defined in PPC, then the adult can be booked under sections 334 and 336 of the PPC respectively and can be penalized and imprisoned for it.

UN Committee on the Rights of Children also recommended Government of Pakistan in concluding observation and recommendations in 2009 to prohibit all forms of corporal punishment in all settings.

NGO sector, the media and other relevant professionals such as educationists, writers, scholars and human rights activists have strongly condemned the corporal punishment in schools, declaring it a "cruel, dehumanizing, and degrading" practice. They have called for strict implementations of the laws in educational institutions to abolish harsh punishments. They also urged that respective provincial governments should take serious notice of these unlawful punishments and that the person involved should be fined and imprisoned.    

 An educationalist, M.Khalid Rehman said,

“We as teachers must have sufficient understanding of child psychology so as to avoid even any corporal or mental punishment in order to let the child grow in a peaceful environment. If we feel that we could use punishment as an academic too, then we can rest assured that we are not fit to be a teacher at all, and we must find some other job. I understand that a child who is exposed to an aggressive environment is more likely to be an aggressive individual in every phase of life. A child who is lucky enough to receive empathy and kindness from the parents and teachers, tends to develop as a kind human being having an empathetic attitude. Penalizing a child is certainly a drastic measure that should be avoided at all costs” 

Educationalists and child right workers said that Teachers need to be educated on how beating and abusing students has a negative impact on young innocent children. They emphasized that   teacher training institutes should create awareness in teachers to cultivate a friendly and nurturing environment in the classroom, and teach students with love and affection."

Regarding these initiatives, Teachers Development Centre has organized workshops for teachers which aim at discouraging the trend of corporal punishment in schools; while encouraging teachers to adopt invitational education which focused on collaborative learning and cooperation.

‘The Charter of Children Recognition’ proposed by Educationalist, Salman Asif Siddiqui drew attention towards all the threatening factors, physical and emotional violence at school and at home. The aim of the charter is to create awareness in parents and teachers regarding the hazards the children are facing in an unsafe and unprotected school environment thus emphasized over the need to set up child-friendly schools.

More mutual consensus from schools, teachers and parents is needed to implement corporal punishment laws in schools. If these laws are sincerely implemented, it will help to adopt more positive ways of disciplining children without undermining their confidence and self-esteem and bring revolutionary changes in our educational institutions. In an optimally inviting classroom environment, children get respect, they behaver better and learn more from the feelings of accomplishments than feelings of failure, rejection and humiliation.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil.”

Get the message to Garcia!

Choose to live a life of excellence- Success- Inspiration- 

Accomplishment- Get the message to Garcia!

                  By Sadia Wali

Many people wonder how success happens and how successful people become more successful. Being persistent leads to success.

In his rise from being the son of a candle maker to a legend among men, Benjamin Franklin became America’s original self-made man.

Abraham Lincoln likewise captured the public imagination when he made the improbable leap from lowly log-cabin to the White House. Yet the concept really took hold in American culture during the post-Civil-War period.

While in India, Alexander met a Jain monk seemingly aloof and lost in his meditation.  Alexander saw the man and thought, “what a waste of time, this man is doing nothing and wasting life”. He asked him, hey what are you doing? The monk replied, I am experiencing nothingness but what are you doing? Alexander then replied, ‘I am conquering the world’. Alexander was taught to be like Achilles, whose presence in any battle meant assured victory.

Elbert Hubbard’s essay, A Message to Garcia 1899, denoted a dedicated soldier who took the initiative to accomplish a daunting and difficult task without questions or objections and graciously accomplishes the task.

Success story of these legends showed their perseverance, dauntless courage, and resolute   towards achieving a goal. As it is mentioned in Bible, “You are going to succeed because you decide to succeed. You are going to succeed because you make the choice that you will not let life choose for you. I will choose for myself. You can choose to live a life of choose a life of excellence.

Reading an excerpt from Elbert Hubbard’s essay, A Message to Garcia made us realize that people haven't changed in the last 100 years; people are not committed to the pursuit of occupational competence. Promotional ambitions lead to depersonalized detachment rather than an honest involvement and association with the work.  

Let us ponder over the consequences of ineffective learning and unsuccessful academic achievements of a teacher in modern times. Education is just impossible without a proper and appropriate teacher; education reformers around the world believe that we need to rethink, reinvent and revive schools and universities.  Teachers need to redefine their roles and responsibilities to meet changing needs and demands.  In the present day world, we are facing a dearth of dedicated  and committed teachers who could shape the society, motivate and inspire students by providing a safe, secure, and loving environment   which builds a foundation for life-long learning) and foster human values and norms .i.e. goodness, benevolence and virtues.

A young teacher entering teaching believes strongly in the importance of cultivating intelligence and creativity in pupils. Nevertheless within a year, she decided to give up teaching because of dissatisfaction, cynicism and career frustration.

Changes in the financing of education and conditions of work often lead to self- estrangement among teachers. They have difficulty in reconciling their actual achievements with their personal expectations. Teachers’ anxiety concerning their professional competence is heightened by a value system that links self- esteem with salary and remuneration. Teachers do not show interest in doing additional work like put up bulletin boards, wall displays, data entry or maintain file of students, after school timings spend some time to set the classroom for the next day.  A teacher while looking up at ten- foot high cupboard of classroom said, ‘I am paid to teach, not to look after this lot “And so mostly groan and wail over their career frustration in the staffroom; being sour, bitter and cynical complain lack of recognition by administrators for hard work and accomplishments. Consequently, they shout or scold at rowdy children to discipline them. They also hesitate to give extra attention to weak students after school. They have formed a negative occupational identity that threatens their self- esteem.

A group of teachers feel isolated due to their powerlessness within the organization i.e. their inability to influence the decision – making process. They think that fellow teachers are working in their little world. “Everybody is doing their own thing; nobody is working with colleagues to make this a whole school.” I have been bullied in my current workspace by other faculty members. After over five years I was finally able to realize it was work place bullying, I face an emotional trauma every day. If your current position causes you so much stress that you fear your mental health is at stake, get out of there fast!” opined an under- stressed teacher

Feeling intellectually starved, there are many teachers who have already opted for alternate profession and there are quite a few on the verge of shifting profession. "Once you stop learning and not growing in your job, it's time to look for something else” you can judge if something is actually a better opportunity "feels like home or fills a deeper need avail the chance.”

It is a sad reality that people haven't changed in the last 100 years, Every time they are given a task they start asking irrelevant questions or make excuses or show dissatisfaction while fulfilling the job. Today our society is degenerating due to lack of direction, intellectual vision, wisdom, intelligence and correct understanding among young people. We are really in search of proactive individuals who realize the significance of collective and individual potential to bring change in society.

There may be a few individuals who are extraordinary like Rowan who is always ready to accomplish the task without asking questions or showing excuses and justifications; those who don't just do what is expected of them; they surpass the expectations of others in their pursuit of excellence without considering any reward, compensation or salary. How chance aids them at every turn! They do not see the trails, failures and struggles, have voluntarily encountered in order to gain experience and realize the vision of their heart. They do not see the long and arduous journey, darkness and heartaches; they only behold present goals and call it a good fortune.

Being strong –minded and innovative teachers, we need to realize our priorities and responsibilities like Rowan who delivered the message to Garcia without asking, "Where is he? What does he look like? Who are his contacts? How do I get there?" He simply took the orders and did what he was asked to do. To put away with aimlessness and weakness and to begin a purposeful life with persistence and strength  is the message conveyed by Rowan; who believed that success is a journey and not a destination; this journey has been has no end.   

  

A profound study on the subject of excellence found in ‘The book of Matthew’ tells God does not expect us to do only what comes naturally. He expects us to do far beyond that which is convenient and comfortable. When we have the option to be better than most? Why don’t we make optimum efforts throughout the year to show up the best?

An earnest plea to the teachers of today: Be a Rowan. Do it! Just make a decision. Make a choice. Even if task is challenging, should not give up. Quitting is not even an option. “Keeping firm and persistent, I will accomplish the task that is set before me. I will pursue excellence in every area of my life. Even though if I fall down, I will get back up and keep myself pressing ‘I can do it!”

“Are you willing to make the decision to get the job done with excellence? Are you prepared to carry the message to Garcia?

The profit pickle

Meaningful activities for youth

Book Review – KARACHI, YOU’RE KILLING ME!

By Sadia Wali

 

Being an emotional and sensitive lady, I always have great inspiration to read the piece of novel that deeply interprets women issues and problems, romance, culture and traditions. One of the important aspect of choosing Saba Imtiaz novel, KARACHI, YOU’RE KILLING ME to read as it is entirely feminist. It is a story of insider heart, how a young journalist coped up with her career and personal life, how her emotions were crushed and how she avoided stressful thoughts and managed to live a normal life. Passionate by nature, she decided to change the world by being a journalist.

 KARACHI, YOU’RE KILLING ME  is a Bridget Jones’s Diary meets the Diary of a Social Butterfly, “a comedy of manners in a city with none,” as Saba describes it. A female voice narrating real life events in form of a diary which follows a sensational beginning which continued till end. Every moment is full of adventure and thrill which kept the readers intact.

The story revolves around a young journalist, Ayesha who works for a newspaper as a reporter, hopping from rickshaws to taxis, covering strange and unique stories. Her life merely moves around work whether it was suicide bombings, visit to literature festival, the Bhutto family tomb in interior Sindh, the-top fashion show or interviewing gangsters in the gang-ridden neighborhood of Lyari. She is always there on the spot with full vigor and passion.

Ayesha’s survival is heavily dependent on her friends Zara and the best friend, Saad who lives in Dubai but returns frequently to meet her.  Ayesha's own career and abysmal personal life often make her feel empty and numbed and she yearned for the company of old friend Saad whose shoulder she cries on whenever she faces mishap in her life. At various moments in the novel, she expressed her deep emotions about Saad.

Once she said, “It is kind of heartwarming to have someone care about you.”

Saad is my oldest friend, someone who I’m going to love unconditionally until the day I die”

“As teenagers, we were far too involved with our own convoluted love lives. I turned off the lights and stagger into my room feeling the giddiness that comes from using the word boyfriend.”

While reading the novel, I felt that one of the Overwhelming aspects of the novel is the characters playing their part in a casual manner whether it is party-hopping through the city's elite Clifton neighborhood, or visiting Mocca Café for coffee or getting liquor, cigarettes and drugs. These scenes switch the tone of the novel from despondency to feeling of joy. In fact,   the inner thoughts and feelings of Ayesha kept the readers occupied of what shall happen next.

As the story slowly reached its peak, every moment and every act turned out to be more spellbinding and captivating. As Ayesha faced two romantic misadventures, she felt dejected and totally broken. 

Her words touched my heart.

“Why can I never have a functional relationship with a non-troll like human?”I’ll be that girl who everyone invites to dinner out of pity because Iam unloved and broken.”

There are more sensational feelings of Ayesha that really moved me as I felt my body shuddering and I unable to control my emotions.

“My heart feels heavy, and my breath keeps catching in my throat. I need to cry and get this out of my system. It feels like I have failed at everything. For years I have focused my energy and time on my career and time on my career because trying to work at relationships with douchebags like Hasan and then Jamie just did not seem to make sense”

At last Ayesha took the most important decision of her life i.e. to leave her fourteen year old job.  - How she felt? “You are a failure. You have done nothing in the past – jeez – ten years. My life lies ahead of me, suddenly feeling like a really, really tediously long time.” 

The last scene Ayesha was informed by Saad’s mother – he is going to the airport. He’s set up a meeting with his boss in Dubai to see if he can move back. The story took a dramatic turn and here I felt a real test of emotions for a woman who yearns for a sincere relationship. Ayesha rushed for the airport in rickshaw. Roaming everywhere on the airport, her eyes searched for Saad. “ I feel like I am standing on the edge of a pit and if I take one wrong step I’m going to fall in.

And then she eventually met Saad who spoke in an indifferent way, “ Clearly you don’t feel the same way, and that’s okay, we ‘ll still be friends. I just need to get you out of my head, which is kind of impossible when you are been in my head since we were fourteen.”

Ayesha wrapped her hands around Saad and as Ayesha said, “ And for the first time in years , I feel pure, unadulterated  happiness.”

Ms. Imtiaz has managed to pull together a novel that you want to read and share with people, especially its characters and events which focused reality and moved hearts deeply.

        Book Review is written by Sadia Wali. She works as Research Assistant at Teachers'         Development Centre

My Reflections on a Seminar

‘Who Fails When A Child Fails’

By Sadia Wali

While attending an inspiring Educational Seminar on Saturday, 1^st August 2015, at Karachi Arts Council organized by Educational Resource Development Centre, I remembered John Holt’s book How Children Fail. The book I have read three times and every time I read it moved my heart more deeply. The last time I read the book, I marked the quote I liked the most. John Holt writes   in his book, How Children Fail,

“For many years I have been asking myself why intelligent children act unintelligently at school. The simple answer is, "Because they're scared." I used to suspect that children's defeatism had something to do with their bad work in school, but I thought I could clear it away with hearty cries of "Onward! You can do it!" What I now see for the first time is the mechanism by which fear destroys intelligence, the way it affects a child's whole way of looking at, thinking about, and dealing with life.”

The Seminar ‘Who Fails When A Child Fails’ made teachers and parents realized their role and responsibilities in developing skills of their children. It is only possible by providing cordial environment at home and school which helps in character building and enhancing the learning and creative capabilities of young kids.

The seminar focused on the key roles of the teachers to recognize and understand the psychological and emotional problem of the children. Learning and failure need to be revisited and changed. Creative aspect of education should be highlighted. How children learn and explore, teachers never ponder at. It is essential to build a strong bond between teacher and student to develop natural talent and skills of children.

Skits performed by the students of 22nd Batch of Professional Teachers Certificate course was superbly performed. The short role plays was written by renowned writer Manzar Imam. The role plays focused on various themes of parenting and negligence of teachers which leads to a child’s academic failure. The guests and chief guests greatly admired the poster exhibition by participants which depicts their deep thinking, extensive research and creativeness.

Participants of the seminar Dr. Syed Irfan Hyder, Tahir Javed, Rashida Murtaza, Dr.Shahida Mohiuddin and Salman Asif Siddiqui highlighted various aspects which teachers do not consider important in boosting up the intellect and skills of young growing children.

Tahir Javed’s opening statement caught my attention. As he said, children are the loveliest creations of Allah. They are not born for failures, they have to play a pivotal role in the world. We need to nurture the capabilities and talents of young kids. Another captivating statement by Tahir sahib was about testing and grading.  Testing means measurement of things like measuring vegetables or other eatables. The intelligences of children cannot be measured at any age or at any level; teachers need to comprehend this critical element. As it is seen that the examination papers are not made according to a child’s level of understanding; this kind of testing does not helps to improve the skills of the children rather the fear of getting fail make them more anxious, pessimistic and insecure. So who faces the consequences?  And how the child cope up with the circumstances, we educators need to ponder at.

Rashida Murtaza spoke in an enthusiastic tone about retention and class repeating of the child. She emphasized over the schools to discourage Retention Policy rather introduce Remedial Support Program for children who needs assistance to uplifts their learning and skills.

Dr.Shahida Mohiuddin expressed her views with whole-heartedness, a teacher should aim at creating a learning environment in classroom; let children be engaged in learning and develop their creativity tand curiosity. Just see their creativity, experimentation, how they think in depth and their power of questioning makes them unique and distinct, Let their self- confidence and self- esteem grow not wither. When children have fear of failure, they lose their sense of joy. Self- building concept and imaginative thinking becomes stagnant and they begin to drift towards dejection and misery. Sense of failure deeply affects the personality, the child continues to feel negative about himself. For example, ‘I can’t do anything in life’ or ‘I am a failure’. Sense of failure and guilt is the source of all abnormalities’ she emphasized.

         We can best help children learn, not by deciding what we think they should learn and thinking of ingenious ways to teach it to them, but by making the world, as far as we can, accessible to them, paying serious attention to what they do, answering their questions -- if they have any -- and helping them explore the things they are most interested in.”

― John Holt

According to Dr. Syed Irfan Hyder, schools instead of focusing on external environment of teaching i.e. classroom management and the paradigm of testing, teachers need to boost up creativeness in children, to let them think and explore new ideas and create great things. Let the child grade himself and understand his competences.

Lastly, Salman Asif Siddiqui and Tahir Javed talked about consequences and some solutions. Salman Asif Siddiqui said that Holistic learning for the child is important. Nowadays, the phenomenon of teaching has been changed.  Instead of fostering knowledge and learning in young people, education is merely motivating young people towards accomplishing academic goals. Teachers need to understand their role; provide insult stress free learning environment at schools. An innovative atmosphere will help teachers to understand the child’s attitude and behavior, improve teacher- child relationship and builds up his character. To make a child confident and motivated, respect his self-esteem and instantly respond to the queries of children.

Tahir Javed said he never saw a teacher or principal being upset on a child’s failure. The school never take the blame of a child’s failure, it is the child and the family suffers economic and social consequences. In his opinion, if teachers follow the passion and commitment of not failing the child and helping the child to improve his skills. At least till secondary level teachers can opt for this decision and can implement in their schools for the better progress of the child.

Summing up the Session, Salman Asif Siddiqui said there is something seriously and fundamentally wrong with our contemporary education system. We feel that a radical change is possible if teachers and parents take initiatives and help those who are launching movements for the educational change in ummah. 

I will quote Qur’an here: “And those who strive in our (cause), we will certainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right”. (Al-Ankaboot: 69)  

The article has been written by Sadia Wali., Research  Assistant  at Teacher's development Centre

  

When will their dreams come true?

Schools that fools

Hope and dreams of under-privilege youth

          Hopes and Dreams of Under-Privilege Youth

        By Sadia Wali

"Our youth are not failing the system; the system is failing our youth. Ironically, the very youth who are being treated the worst are the young people who are going to lead us out of this nightmare."  Rachel Jackson

In this era of globalization and technological revolution, education is considered as a first step for every human activity. It plays a vital role in the development of human capital and is linked with an individual’s well-being and opportunities for better living (Battle & Lewis, 2002). It ensures the acquisition of knowledge and skills that enable individuals to increase their productivity and improve their quality of life. This increase in productivity also leads towards new sources of earning which enhances the economic growth of a country (Saxton, 2000)

 The future of youth is directly related to the educational opportunities, economic conditions and sustainability of the individuals in our country.  Young people of well-off families have resources and means to avail the best opportunity to enhance their learning. But have we ever thought about the plight of the young people of low income families, residing in the underdeveloped areas? The talent of these youth has been crushed due to limited resources, inequities in social, economic and political conditions; gender discrimination; unemployment; armed conflict and confrontation. Due to prevailing injustice, young people living in underdeveloped or remote areas have been indulged in anti- social activities. They often become disillusioned, indulge in drug usage and even resort to criminal activities. 

 “Deep resentment built up in me when I was deprived of a job opportunity for the third time when I disclosed that I dwell in one of the under- privilege areas of Karachi .i.e.  Lyari. As I began job hunting, I felt all my hopes shattered and crushed, I have no faith in the justice of this country. Wide spread racism and discrimination has created despair, defeat, despondency and hopelessness in young people, young man grumbled.  

During the last decade, there has been an unprecedented increase in the crime, violence and terrorism activities; majority of these activities are carried out in underdeveloped areas. One of the major reasons for this growing deterioration in law and order situation in Pakistan is the disengagement of young people.

To engage youth in constructive and productive tasks, Non- profit organizations in Karachi have taken initiatives to impart skills and knowledge to youth of under-resourced areas such as Lyari and Korangi. They have empowered youth by engaging them in inventive projects to develop values and beliefs and develop a positive frame of mind.  Their aim is to train youth in conflict prevention and management, civic engagement and community mobilizations.

 The urgent need of time is to facilitate our youth; Karachi Youth Support Network in collaboration with other NGOs and private organization started facilitating youth from Korangi, Saddar and Kemari and now they have expanded the scope of its activities to Lyari and Sultanabad. They also plan to execute their plans to other under- resource areas of Karachi. Up till now more than 300 energetic youth of Lyari, have been provided opportunities of their interests by KYSN.

“Learn, Lead, and Prevent opines a young teacher, residing in Lyari (Karachi) .He thinks that from the tender age of eight to ten years, our children see anger and violence all around and think violence is the only way to survive. On grounds of gang allegiance, language, ethnicity or religion, what they do best is fight! Since we have no prospect of getting good quality education, our youth remain disoriented.” I believe that through better employment opportunities and community service, the youth have the power to bring a real change in the impoverished and strife-hit neighborhood of Lyari”

Young people of Lyari, Korangi and Sultanabad are extremely talented and have capacity to improve their lives. Being part of the facilitators at a training workshop, titled ‘Peace and Tolerance ‘conducted by KYI and Teachers Development Centre, I got the opportunity to interact with the dynamic teachers of those areas. The aim of the workshop was to cultivate positive aspirations in young people; young teachers felt a unique and life-changing experience which paves the way towards improving their professional skills.

It was heartening to see young jubilant and energetic individuals attending the workshop. Young boys and girls aged  between 18 and 30 are passionately coming forward to act as agents for social change, economic development and technological innovation and  I really felt young people’s participation is valuable to raise up the standard of education.   

My conversation with the teachers regarding their participation in peace-building training initiative showed that they had high purposes in life. Mostly young teachers especially women face hardships and problems such as limited transport options, family restrictions and other social norms yet; it is encouraging to see them determined and firm. 

As one participant in the workshop said, “Work hard, aim high and stay committed to your goals!”

Another opined, “It is our right to get exposure to activities that encourage our imagination, ideals, energy and vision to flourish to the benefit society and our educational institutions.”  

“I am very much impressed by this session and had good learning. This type of innovative workshops should be conducted to build up the better future of our teachers. Thank you for creating awareness and waking up us and put us on a right direction” an enthusiastic comment of a participant.

Another reflection that touch my heart was, “Our area is portrayed by media as a place where criminal gangs roam the streets, and it is the reason that it is backward and regressive as compared to other sections of the city. With NGO’s support, we intent to get engaged in constructive tasks that mobilize young individuals, instill a passion to excel and achieve excellence.”

These are the desires and aspirations of our future torchbearers. Youth of under – privilege areas are exceptionally talented, they are capable of working wonders; the need is to channelize their talent into right direction.

 

The young blood of underprivileged areas needed a platform to learn necessary skills for standing parallel in the society. Engagement in constructive activities will empower them and ultimately leads this young energetic blood towards achieving their positive aspirations

.

It is an irony that we as citizens do not seriously think about facilitating young individuals of low income families also the, government has turned a blind eye to their needs and to their problems. Our politicians and policy makers have no understanding about the consequences of ignoring young people. If there are any efforts underway, they are merely up to organizing seminar or workshops or passing rules, practical steps are always missing from the government's strategies. Private sector and NGO’s have undertaken target oriented programs for youth development, providing opportunities to young people to explore and realize their potentials, educate and guide them against terrorism and inhuman activities.

 We cannot think of any development, prosperity and progress without the engagement and contributions of young people .Time has come for us to seriously ponder over it.

It is rightly said,

‘The Youth of a Nation are the trustees of posterity’ (Benjamin-Disraeli)     

The article has been written by Sadia Wali while attending the training program titled, ‘Training for Peace and Tolerance’ a program organized to train teachers of three areas of Karachi (Lyari, Korangi and Sultanabad).The training workshop was organized in collaboration with Karachi Youth Initiative (KYI) and Teachers Development Centre (TDC) The workshop was attended by 304 teachers of these three areas. The workshop had eleven training sessions which began from 23rd of February and successfully concluded on 22nd of April 2015

Sadia Wali is a Research Assistant at Teachers Development Centre. She can be contacted at sadiawali@hotmail.com