Imposed: Tharparkar’s schoolchildren forced to pay for Aids-free society

Surprisingly, the tickets do not mention the name of the NGO carrying out the drive.

KARACHI/ MITHI:

Schoolchildren of the Tharparkar district are being forced to contribute Rs5 to eradicate Aids from Pakistan. On the other hand, top officials of the department have refused to comment on this drive.

Parents, students and civil society activists have expressed concern over the involvement of minors in the new drive of the education department.

The tickets, 'Stop Aids, Aids Saan Pak Muashiro [Aids-free society]' printed in blue, are being distributed in primary and higher secondary schools.

The headmasters of the schools have been given instructions from top officials to collect the contributions and deposit the money in accordance with the enrolment at their schools.



According to official data, over 200,000 students are registered across Tharparkar district. Parents and students have expressed fury over the drive, which started last week. Tharparkar is one of the districts of Sindh where students hardly get Rs10 as weekly pocket money.

Elementary education district officer Kela Ram and secondary education district officer Daulat Ram Meghwar confirmed that the drive was being carried out. They said that these tickets are being distributed in schools to create awareness, adding that the drive had been launched by an NGO. However, the tickets do not mention the name of the NGO and the officials refused to share the same.

"We have received instructions in writing from the Karachi office," the officials said. They said that all headmasters are strictly directed to collect contributions in accordance with the enrollments at their schools. "We have to obey the orders," they replied when asked the reason behind involving minor children. Interestingly, the ticket is of no use - it can't be pasted on books or walls. It doesn't even name any organisation. "What should I do with this ticket?" asked six-year-old Zulfiqar of grade one of his father, Abdul Qayoom. The father said that it was a strange moment when his minor son asks about the disease.

"Why should our children pay for the campaign? It is the responsibility of the government and organisations to generate funds for these drives," stressed Qayoom.

An official of the Provincial Aids Control Programme said that there was no need to take money from schoolchildren, adding that it was a strange campaign as students are being involved in such sensitive affairs. "It should be investigated as to which NGO is collecting funds from these schools."

It was also learnt that the health department was not taken into confidence before the launch of the drive. Sindh education department's additional secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch said that he was not aware of the drive. "I can't comment until I see the tickets and check the details of the campaign."

"It is a shameful act. This is corruption. One should keep schoolchildren away from such plans," commented Primary Teachers Association president Hamidullah Samoon. On the other hand, Tharparkar's education officials said they have received orders in black and white from the provincial office.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2014.