Attack plays on parents’ fear of sending children to school

A few refuse to back down, say their children will get an education

PESHAWAR: As threats become rumours and rumours come true, a majority of parents in the provincial capital no longer want to send their children to school – not in the near future at least. However, some would say, with steely resolve, education will not fall victim to terrorism.

When contacted, parents of students in the city expressed mixed reactions.

Sameen Sahibzada, a homemaker, tells The Express Tribune the panic stirred by threats had given her nightmares; now the Bacha Khan University attack has paralysed her from sending her daughters to school at least for a week.

Yasir Hayat, a bank officer, also wants a week before he can send his little ones back to what now appears a potential battlefield. “A week’s gap won’t make a difference to my children’s career, their lives are more important.”

The mother of two children who study at Beaconhouse FC campus in Hayatabad, will hold back for at least a day. Shaista Amjad says she will not send her children to school on Thursday (today) due to security concerns.

In Cantonment, Jaleel Khan concurs, he will not risk his son’s life even though it is located close to home. He echoes Hayat’s sentiments: his son’s life is more precious to him.

No going back

Rehmanullah, 45, says he has one daughter and last week he was called to take her home during school hours. “After that I did not send her to school. On Wednesday when I did, the attack on Bacha Khan University took place,” he adds. “Now I’m thinking of pulling her out of school altogether. She is a girl and her education is becoming a risk for me.”

A day before the Charsadda attack, when there was a threat alert, Sikandar Khan told The Express Tribune they did not allow their children to go to school. “We will teach them at home but will not send them to any school.”

Saqib Hussain says his family has finally caved and has decided to not send their children to school.

Education, a higher price

For some parents, it was more important to power through and not give in to fear.

Sundus Mahrukh, a mother of four, says such terrorist attacks cannot scare them. Two of her children go to Knowledge School Gulbahar campus and she says she would send them to school. She does not want them to be “cowards”.

Imranuddin, a lecturer at University of Agriculture, has a daughter and two sons who study at Army Public School. Imranuddin says he is satisfied with the security there.

Another mother, of three, believes education is the only way to eradicate terrorism from the country, so, steadfast, she will send her children out to study.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2016.