Students of today or badmashes of tomorrow?

Education department’s children with moustaches is sending out wrong message

PESHAWAR: Throughout history, moustache has been a status symbol—both positive and negative. In some societies it was considered noble and, perhaps, even a good omen. Furry upper lips are as old as history. Depictions from ancient times show that monarchs and authoritarian rulers used to wear them with pride to show their superiority over their subjects. Even the great visionaries of our time, researchers, scientists and academicians, grew them under their eager noses.

However, as civilisation grew, the moustache became less acceptable. Some societies considered it a means to intimidate the helpless. From kings and nobles, the moustache shifted to the upper lips of criminals. In the subcontinent, especially, they are sported by most men who terrorise the downtrodden. Many of those sporting such facial hair are seen as badmashes or scoundrels who behave in contemptible ways.



The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led coalition government is trying to implement cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s agenda of change, reforms and good governance. Emphasis has been placed on eradicating corruption. With this in mind, the K-P Elementary and Secondary Education department has published a multi-column coloured advertisement in local newspapers. Through this advertisement, government informs readers of a massive allocation of Rs10 billion for the provision of facilities at schools. As per the advertisement, the amount would be utilised through parent-teachers councils. The message was simple, a stern warning to those responsible for the utilisation of these funds not to get involved in corruption.

However, the manner in which it was delivered was anything but usual. The ad featured two boys and a girl with moustaches.

Portraying primary schoolchildren in such a manner cannot be acceptable even with the best of intentions. It makes them look like the badmashes of tomorrow and is possibly sending out all the wrong signals.

Officials in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, who are responsible for such publicity, say they have nothing to do with this advertisement as it is owned by the education department.

The manner in which students were portrayed in the advertisement has been denounced by politicians, social activists, educationists and teachers.

Wahab Mansoori, who heads a teachers’ body in the province, says the ad appears to be converting these children into thugs.

He adds they are portrayed as antisocial elements rather than pillars of society.

Arshad Haroon, a social activist working for the protection of child rights, says, “Children are innocent and they should be portrayed in such a way. Here the government is trying to make them look like badmashes”.

He points out that the government first handed over guns to teachers and now children are being portrayed in a questionable manner. He asks the relevant authorities to review its publicity and propaganda strategies.

Swat MPA and ANP deputy parliamentary leader Syed Jaffar Shah says it is illogical to depict children, especially girls, with moustaches.

“It seems they are really changing Pukhtun society,” he says. “First they gave guns to men and women teachers and now children are being shown in this manner.”

The ANP leader says he will raise the matter on the assembly floor to bring it to the notice of the provincial government.

Elementary and Secondary Education Additional Secretary Qaisar Alam justifies the theme of advertisement.

“It is a creative idea to show children who will not allow the misappropriation of funds allocated for their better future,” Alam says.

He adds the idea has been adopted after much deliberation and consultation. The secretary believes this will have a positive impact and put education on the right track.

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