Retirement no hurdle to capital’s ‘education firefighter’

New Block of Model School to be named after Master Ayub

ISLAMABAD: The firefighter, who has been trying to put out the blaze of illiteracy in the capital on his own for the past three decades, has vowed to continue his fight even after he retires.

Muhammad Ayub Khan, affectionately known as Master Ayub, has been teaching street children in the Sector F-6 Park for the past 35 years. While his day job is that of a fireman with the Capital Development Authority (CDA), he has been sparing time after hours to teach children from the nearby slums at his makeshift school.

Now, at the end of his career as a firefighter, Master Ayub on Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment to running the school long after his retirement.

The CDA has acknowledged his services and has decided to name an under-construction block at a model school after him.

“All facilities would be provided in the open air school being run by the Master Ayub who is also serving as a fire instructor in the authority,” said CDA Member Administration Yasir Pirzada. He was visiting Ayubs’ open-air school being in the Sector F-6 park.

CDA officials also distributed books, school bags, toys, clothes and other items amongst the students.

Pirzada commended Master Ayub’s efforts and termed him a role model for those who are frustrated in their lives despite having access to better resources.



He added that Master Ayub’s work was unbelievable since it takes non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and proper institutions in developed countries to perform the same job.

Noting that Master Ayub spent a third of his salary to run the school, Pirzada said that this was the best example for those who are unaware of their social responsibilities.

Pirzada directed the concerned departments of CDA to extend all possible cooperation and support to facilitate the children at the open air school.

Earlier, Member Administration, visited different classes of the open-air school asked questions related to the curriculum and distributed books, pencils, school bags and other education-related items to the children. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2018.