Segregation of sexes: ‘Improper’ seating for middle standard exam draws protests
Students say ‘distraction’ might cost them good grades.
GUJRANWALA:
Several students and their parents protested at a Gujranwala school against ‘improper’ seating arrangements for Middle standard exams underway in the province.
The protesters complained about a lack of segregation between boys and girls, as they were made to sit side by side at Dhulley High School. This, several students insisted, was a cause of distraction. They said sitting next to the opposite sex prevented them from focussing their attention on the exam. Anam and Farooq told The Express Tribune that they could not attempt the mathematics exam properly because of constant diversion caused by opposite sex students sitting next to them. “I wasn’t comfortable sharing a desk with a boy. If this continues, I wont be able to perform well in the exams,” Anam said.
Parents of several students criticised the Schools Education Department for ‘not conforming to the norms of the society’ in planning the exams. They threatened that they would not allow their children to sit the next exam if segregation of boys and girls was not ensured.
Muhammad Azam, who was accompanying his daughter Zeb, said he had selected an all girls’ school for his daughter because he was opposed to boys and girls sharing the same space. He said the department should have kept the norms of the society in their mind while making arrangements for the exams.
Razia Khatoon, another parent, said she would not allow her daughter to sit the next exam if the issue was not fixed by the department till then. “If it’s not possible to arrange separate rooms for boys and girls, the schools can at least make them sit in separate rows,” she said.
Examination superintendent Arshad Mughal said seating arrangement was made according to the list of roll numbers sent to schools by the department. He said there was no way schools could alter these lists on their own. “If someone wants to boycott an exam they are welcome to do so at their own risk,” he added.
Mughal said if some parents were not comfortable with boys and girls sharing the same room they should take their complaint to the department. He said equipment available to the school was not enough for the number of students registered to take exams at the school.
Gujranwala Executive District Officer (Education) was not available for comment.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2012.
Several students and their parents protested at a Gujranwala school against ‘improper’ seating arrangements for Middle standard exams underway in the province.
The protesters complained about a lack of segregation between boys and girls, as they were made to sit side by side at Dhulley High School. This, several students insisted, was a cause of distraction. They said sitting next to the opposite sex prevented them from focussing their attention on the exam. Anam and Farooq told The Express Tribune that they could not attempt the mathematics exam properly because of constant diversion caused by opposite sex students sitting next to them. “I wasn’t comfortable sharing a desk with a boy. If this continues, I wont be able to perform well in the exams,” Anam said.
Parents of several students criticised the Schools Education Department for ‘not conforming to the norms of the society’ in planning the exams. They threatened that they would not allow their children to sit the next exam if segregation of boys and girls was not ensured.
Muhammad Azam, who was accompanying his daughter Zeb, said he had selected an all girls’ school for his daughter because he was opposed to boys and girls sharing the same space. He said the department should have kept the norms of the society in their mind while making arrangements for the exams.
Razia Khatoon, another parent, said she would not allow her daughter to sit the next exam if the issue was not fixed by the department till then. “If it’s not possible to arrange separate rooms for boys and girls, the schools can at least make them sit in separate rows,” she said.
Examination superintendent Arshad Mughal said seating arrangement was made according to the list of roll numbers sent to schools by the department. He said there was no way schools could alter these lists on their own. “If someone wants to boycott an exam they are welcome to do so at their own risk,” he added.
Mughal said if some parents were not comfortable with boys and girls sharing the same room they should take their complaint to the department. He said equipment available to the school was not enough for the number of students registered to take exams at the school.
Gujranwala Executive District Officer (Education) was not available for comment.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2012.