THIS is apropos of Air Cdre (Rtd) Khayyam Durrani’s letter (Jan 24). My experience as an educator in the armed forces (Navy) has been entirely different.

Based on my academic and professional performance, Pakistan Navy sent me to world-renowned institutions in the UK and US for higher education.

Appreciating the academic performance of officers in high-ranking foreign institutions, PN decided to send them for PhD studies in the year 1992. I got the honour to become the first PhD-qualified officer with a PN sponsorship.

Having afforded me with the maximum opportunity to acquire higher education, the Navy utilised my knowledge optimally in the fields of education, research and development. It facilitated me to contribute significantly to launch MS and PhD programmes at the Pakistan Navy Engineering College.

All my colleagues and senior officers, including Chief of the Naval Staff, used to call me “Doctor Sahib”. Besides, in recognition of my contribution as an educator and researcher, the Navy honoured me with letters of appreciation/ commendation, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz and the coveted rank of Rear Admiral.

On retirement from the Navy, the Vice Chancellor NED University of Engineering & Technology honoured me with the position of Dean (ECE).

Today, for a large number of parents, the first choice for their children’s education is NUST, Bahria Colleges, DHA and Army Public Schools. This would not have been the case had the armed forces not inculcated love and respect for knowledge, books and teachers in their institutions.

PROF (Dr) SARFRAZ HUSSAIN Karachi

Respecting teachers

THIS is with reference to the letter (Jan 19) by Commander (Rtd) Khalid Durrani. I endorse his views as I myself have been teaching for the last many years at different levels after resigning from Pakistan Air Force in 1991.

Unfortunately, teachers are not given the respect and status they enjoy elsewhere in developed countries. This is one reason that most talented and educated youths opt for professions other than teaching. I have seldom heard of any parents saying they want their children to become a teacher when they grow up.

Most of them want their children to become engineers, doctors, CSP officers or in armed forces or they want to go abroad for higher studies and then settle there to make a good fortune. None have proudly said that they wanted their children to become teachers.

I request the government and the public to give due respect to teachers. People should join the teaching profession as willingly as they aspire to join other prestigious professions.

TAHIR ISHAQ Islamabad