KARACHI:
While, physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children is rampant at numerous workplaces, its scale, acceptability and continuity is endemic in madrassas and seminaries. The state and the citizens speak of this well recognised curse with bated breath and only after looking over their shoulder. It is a fact that no parents, regardless of faith and politics, would like to see their children undergo abuse and violence. Citizens should come together to demand that the following actions be taken by the state:
1) Identify the exact number, name and location of each and every seminary in each district, town and village of Pakistan; 2) Identify name, age, NADRA registration number, parents’ CNIC, contact number and home address of each student; 3) Identify name, age, CNIC, contact number and home address of every teacher, Moulvi, Mufti, administrator or worker who is associated with the seminary on part time or full time basis; 4) Undertake a medical and psychological test of each student. Take legal action against perpetrators where a child was found abused; 5) Issue a standard syllabi that should be taught at all seminaries, which includes physics, chemistry, mathematics, English and biology. Those not in compliance ought to be closed; 6) Establish a well-publicised, prominently displayed, signed by all teachers and periodically read out to students, child protection policy for all madrassas (and also schools), that describes dos and don’ts of child abuse and who to contact in case of help. Ideally it ought to be a National 3 digit Helpline such as 911 – promised three years back and still awaiting realisation.
Naeem Sadiq
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2021.
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