Education is the art of making man ethical, says Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. It is said that good schools bring good societies. Hence the schools make the individuals. School, teachers, and individuals are a conflation of an intermingled string that interplay with one another and impart a significant role in the social fabric of any society.
Recently we see an incident where a girl was assaulted by other female students in a prestigious school. It was revealed that Aleha Imran and Kainat Malik, two students, had been best friends since kindergarten and had attended the same school. Both shared footage of drug use with each other’s father which was reportedly filmed at a private event outside the school’s campus. Aleha was grabbed by Jannat Malik, her sister Kainat Malik, and other schoolmates under some steps close to the cafeteria where there were no CCTV cameras in place. Aleha was brutely tormented by the kids and the abusive language was another pathetic blow.
However, according to the FIR that Aleha Imran’s father filed, Jannat and Kainat were part of a gang that used to distribute drugs to pupils on the school’s campus. He further accused the school administration of failing to take meaningful action against the offenders Jannat and Kainat because they are from a powerful political family, despite the fact that the victim’s family is equally influential.
Pre-arrest bail was made available to the girls who participated in that horrible crime, and they were not even required to appear before the magistrate. This says a lot about what happens in these private schools and how school administration, with the help of our state’s apparatus, hides these crimes. And the story doesn’t stop there; the victim’s father revealed to an online news outlet that in addition to being threatened with dire consequences. He is also being blackmailed to do so by the institution because the opposition parties are “powerful”. Though DC Muhammad Ali during the case hearing suspended the private school registration until the next hearing.
This occurrence has multiple facets. Along with a bullying act, it appears to be a power trench between two influential parties who are able to involve authorities and exert influence. . As bullying is so common in schools that it never seems something odd in the culture rather it is considered a fun bag. First-day ragging is an example, which students think is the most entertaining way to embarrass a new person in front of groups on the first day. Surprisingly, teachers at educational institutions ask you to introduce your family along with students’ own introduction, hence the influential ones will be treated with perks and pearls and the less fortunate will be treated like worthless grains.
This is not just the case; in North Nazimabad, a student named Musa Atif was plastered and mocked in front of his classmates for speaking Urdu. We frequently hear about rave events at prestigious universities where drug use is common. But no one could ever withhold such institutions answerable because our elite education system and social structure never consider them as something inapt. Neither of our authorities has the courage to make them accountable.
There are numerous bullying incidents that can be pen down, but the most recent one only received attention because it includes influential parties; however, the system will remain the same for people of lower sorts. Our country doesn’t require any laws because the elites have the potential to bring accountability through sources. And schools never take the responsibility to be answerable. Teacher bullying is among the most common in Pakistan through making remarks which lead students to perceive the same phenomena. It causes confidence shatter and mental health issues among students. Although, Institutions were made to strengthen children’s capabilities and confidence rather it has become another source of threat to parents.
It is estimated that 50% of students face school bullying, 14% of children belonging to high school think of suicide and approximately 7% actually attempt suicide every year. According to a global survey commissioned by Microsoft, Pakistan is ranked 22nd out of 25 countries in online bullying.
If the authorities take it as a serious menace to the next generation, then this trial must be seen as an indictment of all the individuals and academics involved, as they will come to understand that bullying and humiliation are villainous deeds that will have serious repercussions for not only the victims but also for their families. Additionally, those females need to be taken to rehabilitation facilities to dispel their misconceptions and make their families heavy penalties to make them understand that their power does not put them beyond the law. It has become so significant because with these circumstances parents would not be able to trust institutions where they send their children to better themselves. ANC (Anti-Narcotic Centre) must include the domain to check education institutions and the process must be specified for accountability. This issue is not just about an incident but it cumulates societal damage.
