How some exceptional teachers are making a difference in students' lives

Teachers play an important role in the lives of their students. Their standing in society can tell you much about the state of a nation. The dismal condition of education is a legitimate cause for concern in Pakistan.

The government school system in Punjab, however, has a number of committed teachers who, despite difficult conditions, teach day in and day out. The unsung heroes of the province remain undeterred in their mission.



In a report commissioned by the Pakistan Education Specialists Group (PESG), 20 exceptional teachers have been profiled to give an insight into the lives of great teachers. These are those who persist in the profession because they don't approach their work as ordinary employment but as a higher calling.

The teachers featured by PESG were chosen to represent the diversity of the teaching workforce in public sector education of Punjab. The report does not claim to have found the best 20 teachers of Punjab. These are teachers which are merely accomplished and dedicated.

A teacher, Naeem Masih Gill,  has continued teaching despite facing prejudice due to his minority status. Another teacher, Najma Basharat had worked to ease community tensions between Pakhtun and Punjabi residents in her locality.

1. Mohammad Boota

"For me, quality education is about teaching children values."



2. Naima Basharat

"Students were performing poorly when I came to this school ... the language barrier did not help improve the situation."



3. Naeem Masih Gill

"Changing the way people thing is very important and it can be done through education"



4. Dr Shamim Akhtar

"I am extremely passionate about girls' education; one can change an entire family and my life is an example of this."



5. Mubashar Khaleeq

"Teaching is a process set into motion by inspiration."



6. Shamshad Rubana

"Sometimes, it is challenging to manage a school with limited resources. However, my school is running efficiently outdoors. I feel that is a teacher is teaching well, it does not matter whether classes take place indoors or outdoors."



7. Abdul Lateef Khan

"I encourage parents to send their children to school. I wanted to be a role model ... I want them to know education has turned my life around."



8. Nuzhat Ara

"For me, teaching is not just a profession; it is my way of worship. Teachers take on responsibility to shape the future."



9. Yasir Ahmed

"I am the only teacher in this entire school ... A Matric graduate from the village volunteered to come and assist me. I deliver the lesson to one class and ask him to monitor the students while I go to the other room for a lesson."



10. Farah Naz

"I was the first female computer teacher to be appointed in the entire district of Muzaffargarh."



11. Mohammad Boota

"What a joy it is to see your students excelling in their careers. All the hard work I put in for my students, teaching extra classes and coming to school early, has paid of well."



12. Yasmine Feroz

"People like us have to be role models, in order for us to attract students to school."



13. Masood Elahi Makhdoom

"Education got me where I am and this is something that I want to teach my students as well."



14. Rehana Sarwat

"It is critical to educate girls since women are in every field now. Getting an education is the only way our country is going to prosper."



15. Hafiz Syed Khizer Abbas

"The children of this village deserve to be taught, and taught well; hence, they should be taken care of by the government."



16. Salma Zia

"My daughter is six months old; I bring her to school with me. I didn't take an extended [maternity] leave, since I didn't want my students to suffer."



17. Sadia Jamshed

"I always tell my students that what matters is that they enjoy learning. They must not think of their education as a burden."



18. Manzoor Ahmad

"Learning is an ongoing process; we teach on a daily basis and the resources and training help us to stay up to date with new teaching techniques and methodologies."



19. Shazia Shakeel

"I always tells mothers that getting an education does not mean that your daughter will not help you with the chores at home. Education is your children's basic right, and they should be allowed to go to schools."



20. Mubashara Sultana

"Parents and teachers need to work together if they want to help improve their child's future, and this requires that parents take an active interest in their child's education."