Seema Gul, a student of humanities, who topped the Saidu Sharif Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) intermediate examinations in 2011 is determined to go on.
Gul, a student at Government Girls Degree College Saidu Sharif, gave the exams after getting married and topped the exams among female students. She said she wants to pursue further education and is determined to challenge anything that comes in her way. She said, “Determination can defeat every power in the world.”
A total of 30,650 students appeared in the intermediate examinations in which 57.18 per cent were declared successful.
Talking about the militancy and extremism in the region, Gul said, “I never stopped studying even though there was fear everywhere. I am thankful to my parents and teachers who supported me.”
Gul’s husband Khalilullah, while talking to The Express Tribune at the award distribution ceremony, said, “This is a moment of great pleasure for me and I want Gul to pursue further education.”
Gul added, “In my view both girls and boys should be treated equally and should be allowed to follow their dreams.”
She regretted how international media presented Swat in a negative way. “We are not extremists. We believe in peace and harmony and one day we will show that to the whole world,” she said.
The number of female students appearing in the exams has increased significantly, despite constant attacks by the Taliban on girls’ schools.
According to Saidu Sharif Board Chairperson Muhammad Iqbal, there has been a 49 per cent increase in girls who have appeared in the examinations this year, while the increase in boys this year is 19 per cent. “The increase in female students indicates that Swati people are struggling towards peace and development,” said Iqbal.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2011.
COMMENTS (3)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Way to go !.... Dont let your passion for studies die !
she should go on and pursue a lifelong career ,if she wastes her life by getting married early and being reduced to becoming just a baby producing fatory then all her hard work will go to waste. she should pursue further higher education and only marry a man, man enough to not feel threatened by a wife who has a career.Too many women have had their lives ruined by insecure,low self esteem men who prevent their wives from working and hide behind islam and use islam to justify stopping their wives from working. the real issue is the insecurity and inferiority complexes of such husbands and fiances, they just use religion to hide their real insecurities.
49 percent increase in a single year; Amazing!