Breaking the silence: Enduring Childhood Traumas in Pakistan’s Education System
As a child growing up in Pakistan, I faced significant challenges, with one experience during my time studying Hifz standing out for its impact on my life. Instead of being a period of learning and growth, it became a time of fear and pain due to my teacher’s actions a true case of childhood traumas.
I vividly recall a day when my teacher struck me so hard on the nose with a stick that time seemed to stop, and the world went dark momentarily. The physical pain was intense, but the emotional scars were deeper, leaving me feeling small, scared, and helpless. This incident was not isolated; many teachers at my school used physical punishment, including hitting students with sticks and humiliating them by smearing ink on their faces, all to enforce discipline and ensure students learned their lessons.
After that traumatic incident, I was threatened with worse punishment if I spoke up, leading me to hide the truth from my family, saying I had accidentally injured myself at school. The abuse I endured distorted my perception of learning about my religion, making me resentful and even contemplate drastic measures to escape the torment. Looking back, those thoughts seem irrational and far removed from my current perspective.
The child has the right to be shown respect for his personality and individuality and shall
not be made subject to corporal punishment or any other humiliating or degrading treatment.
The abuse and torment I endured didn’t just impact my educational journey but also strained my relationship with my faith. It’s devastating to realize that instead of feeling embraced and cherished by their religious studies and aspirations to become a Hafiz e Quran, children might develop aversion and a desire to distance themselves from it due to the actions of those who profess to represent it. It’s profoundly disheartening to consider that children could come to resent their own religion or perceive it as a burden because of the misconduct of certain teachers.
It’s essential to advocate for change by speaking up. By sharing my story, I aim to raise awareness and motivate others to take action. We must hold educators responsible for their behaviour and ensure schools offer safe, nurturing environments for every student, fostering a love for learning rather than making it feel burdensome. The student-teacher relationship should embody trust, respect, and support. When this trust is violated, it not only harms individuals but also undermines the entire educational framework. Abuse fosters a toxic environment where learning takes a backseat to mere survival, leaving children seeking only escapism.
However, my narrative extends beyond my personal journey. It serves to illuminate a pervasive issue impacting numerous children worldwide. No child should endure abuse from their educators. Such behaviour is not only detrimental but utterly unacceptable, capable of inflicting severe mental, emotional, and physical harm. It can severely diminish a child’s confidence.
Despite the challenges I confronted, I refused to let this ordeal define me. Clinging to my dreams and aspirations, I recognized education as my pathway to a brighter future. Immersing myself in my studies, I drew solace and resilience from the pursuit of knowledge.
I’m Habiba Sami, a 20-year-old dreamer, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication in Peshawar. My journey in academia has ignited a passion for storytelling and a desire to make a difference through journalism. Through my studies, I am continuously honing my skills to become a proficient storyteller and advocate for important issues. I believe in the power of media to inspire change and amplify diverse voices. Looking forward to become a voice for the voiceless and to contribute not only in journalism but beyond as well.
The suffering isn’t confined to individuals; it’s a widespread reality for Pakistani students who endure corporal punishment daily. Despite the presence of numerous laws aimed at addressing this issue, authorities have displayed a lack of concern in enforcing them, allowing such practices to persist with social impunity. Tragically, the punishments inflicted upon children by their teachers are often perceived as customs, seen as pathways to salvation and success within Pakistani society. This normalization of violence in educational settings perpetuates a harmful cycle, undermining the well-being and potential of countless young learners. Despite occasional calls for reform, the entrenched cultural attitudes and systemic inertia continue to hinder meaningful change, leaving many students vulnerable to physical and emotional harm in pursuit of an education.
Given the physical and, more importantly, psychological hardships endured by students, it’s imperative for the government to swiftly intervene to eradicate such abuses from educational institutions. Laws and regulations pertaining to student discipline must be rigorously enforced across the board. Moreover, fostering social awareness is crucial at this juncture, as it not only empowers students with knowledge of their rights but also underscores the profound negative impact of physical and mental abuse on children’s potential. The sooner we get rid our education system of this scourge, the greater the benefits for individual development and societal progress.
The writer is a student of Journalism, having interests in social issues.
