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Dwindling student culture
Was terribly shocked to see recent reports of students wielding weapons like a knife in public places and schools. Firstly, I have seen some of the students bringing knife to the school in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, India to attack their teacher who scolded them for their poor academic performance. How would a student come to know about attacking his teacher with a knife? True, factors like fast-growing digital advances and wide exposure to the outside world through various digital platforms, including YouTube, usually make a huge impact on students – negatively and positively as well. Taking away all those digital material, may students can easily resort to such unhealthy activities and dangerous acts as wielding weapons fearlessly.
I interacted with students in a friendly manner and educate them about the power and importance of education in the world during my trainings days in Tamil Nadu.
So teachers should mend their way to teach their students in a friendly way. Second, in Chennai, a group of students recently created a nuisance by wielding weapons during the birthday celebrations in public transport. In my opinion, this type of student culture has long been widespread in certain pockets of Chennai [even much before the dawn of the digital era].
Such cultural conundrums must be nipped in the bud. In the West, the US has still been grappling with this so-called culture. It’s time to handle such dangerous student culture with an iron hand. Police should issue a prior warning about such action through the media to stop the errant students from indulging in unlawful activities at public places and educational institutes.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Tamil Nadu, India
Educational challenges
Educational challenges encompass a broad spectrum of issues that impact students, educators and educational system globally. These challenges can range from access to quality education, equity in learning opportunities, to effectiveness of teaching methods and curriculum relevance. However, access to quality education remains a significant challenge for students living in remote and rural areas.
These students face unique obstacles that hinder their ability to obtain same level of education as their urban counterparts. Understanding these challenges is essential for creating effective solutions that can bridge the educational gap between remote areas and more developed regions.
One of the most pressing issues faced by students in remote areas is lack of educational infrastructure. Many rural regions do not have enough schools and those that do exist often lack essential facilities such as libraries, laboratories and even basic amenities like clean drinking water and electricity. The scarcity of schools means that students may have to travel long distances to attend classes, which can be both time-consuming and dangerous, especially in regions with poor transportation networks.
Another significant challenge is the shortage of qualified teachers in remote areas. Many teachers are reluctant to work in rural regions due to inadequate facilities, low salaries and limited professional development opportunities. As a result, unqualified or untrained teachers who may not have the skills or resources to deliver quality education often staff schools in these areas. This lack of unqualified staff directly impacts the students’ learning outcomes and diminishes their chances of academic success.
MATEEN AMANAT
Gujranwala
Real life is not fiction
The growing fascination with fictional elements in various forms of media such as books, movies and TV shows has become a prevalent trend in modern society. People are increasingly drawn to fictional worlds and characters, finding solace, entertainment and inspiration in these imaginative creations. As more people gravitate towards fictional realms, whether for entertainment, enlightenment or emotional connection, the impact of these narratives on society continues to evolve. The increasing interest in fictional things underscores the universal human need for storytelling, fantasy and the exploration of the unknown, shaping cultural trends and fostering a shared sense of wonder and curiosity in the world around us.
The rise of fictional genres, like fantasy, science fiction and superhero narratives has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, heroism and the extraordinary. The popularity of fictional content serves as a testament to the human capacity for creativity, empathy and the endless possibilities of the imagination. Our generation will have to differentiate between fictional and real life, instead of fantasizing fiction in real life.
MUHAMMAD DARWESH
Sukkur, Sindh
Internet
disruption
The Internet is an essential part of many people’s work. Many people in Pakistan are facing Internet disruption across many cities. Users are experiencing slow connections and frequent outrages. The situation is very challenging for people who work remotely and many people rely on stable Internet connections to sustain their livelihoods.
Many social media apps- Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Upwork and Fiverr went down in Pakistan. Internet outrages had a severe impact on people’s work. Even communicating with people has become difficult. A lot of damage has been done to the Freelancers and their business. It is not just inconvenient but also hindering productivity and innovation. Pakistan is already facing an economic crisis and because of Internet disruption Pakistan has lost almost $500m. Worldwide people are using 5G and we Pakistanis are still struggling with 3G and 4G Internet services.
Authorities should take immediate steps to address this issue. The Ministry of IT and Telecom should focus on modernizing Internet services. Government and Internet service providers should invest in infrastructure and ensure high-quality Internet services. It is imperative to address this issue so that Pakistan does not lag in the Global Digital economy.
KOMAL SHAHZADI
Islamabad
Corruption and nepotism
Pakistan’s job market is plagued by nepotism, where connections and wealth has become the merit. Qualified individuals from humble backgrounds are overlooked, while relatives and friends of influential secure positions. This perpetuates inequality, denying deserving individuals opportunities. The exploitation of poor by wealthy is rampant, with meagre compensation offered for laborious tasks, perpetuating poverty.
Corruption pervades every aspect of Pakistani society, denying the poor access to basic rights and opportunities. This systemic injustice has far-reaching consequences, undermining trust in institutions and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
The government must take concrete steps to address this crisis. Implementing merit-based employment opportunities, ensuring fair compensation for labour, providing access to quality healthcare and promoting accountability and transparency in governance are essential reforms that country requires. Pakistan’s future depends on eradicating corruption and promoting equality. We urge authorities to take immediate action to create a society where every citizen has access to opportunities and basic rights.
ZAMEER ASHRAF
Via email
Traffic jams
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding traffic jams in Karachi. The city with its tremendous population faces many complex issues yet most pressing problem that residents of the city are facing is traffic jams, especially for pedestrians. Traffic jam causes alot of inconvenience to people and waste a significant amount of time.
KHADIJAH MAYAR
Karachi
