After brother’s suicide, teenager has no faith in education system

Saleem Khan achieves top position in high school, says there are no funds to study further.

SHABQADAR: Saleem Khan came first among his peers in intermediate exams, but despite this achievement the teenager has little hope for his future. His younger brother’s suicide seems to have taken away his faith in the education system. 

In April this year, Saleem’s 12-year-old brother, Kamran, immolated himself when his mother could not afford to buy him a new school uniform that he asked for after securing a second position in school. The tragedy has left the family shaken.

The family’s financial constraints have not gotten any better in the past two months. “I have passed my exams but now what? I don’t have any money so I can’t study further unless someone helps me,” he told The Express Tribune, adding “The education system in Pakistan hast has varying standards which creates disparity in society.”

“Today I have achieved success in my exams but I don’t have a brother with whom I can share this joy,” said Saleem. “It was very difficult for me to study after his death, which is why I only got 42 out of 65 in my Chemistry exam,” the boy added.

Saleem wants to be a medical officer but fears that he will not be able to afford a good college. His father Ijaz Gul works outside Pakistan but living as an illegal immigrant, he is not financially stable.

The teenager says that if he succeeds in life he will help the needy as much as he can, especially in the field of education, so that more people do not lose their lives like Kamran did.