MINGORA: The girl students of a local school here on Sunday urged people to provide opportunities of education to their daughters if they wanted to live in a developed and civilised society.

They were speaking at a cultural fair organised at Bacha Khan High School. The girl students presented skits, poems and speeches on the occasion to highlight importance of female education.

They urged Pakhtuns to educate their daughters for formation of a civilised and just society. They said that everyone should learn from the Khudai Khidmatgar Movement started by Bacha Khan in 1929 that was based on non-violence with stress on education for both girls and boys.

“Bacha Khan Baba was the first leader, who launched a movement for the progress of Pakhtun women. He stressed on female education and practically followed it by imparting higher education to his daughter,” said Rehana, a ninth grader at the school.

The girl students said that women would get all their rights if every girl was provided with the right of getting education.

Dr Khadim Hussain, the director of Bacha Khan schools, said on the occasion that he was excited to see the talent of girl students in Swat. “This was mission of Bacha Khan to educate both boys and girls. Today, I can see a big change in these girls as they are educated, aware and modestly bold,” he added.

Dr Khadim said that presently 15 Bacha Khan schools were functional in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Bacha Khan Trust Foundation. He said that poor children were imparted free education and skill trainings in those schools.

Mehnaz, the principal of the school, said that the students were imparted education on modern lines with polishing their innovative and creative skills.

“We are preparing students, both boys and girls, for modern world with exploring their creativity and practical skills in a non-violence approach. That is why today our students shine,” she said and urged the local communities to support them in their cause.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2017