Real education in conflict zones

Ahmad Kashmiri

Whileas the present situation in Kashmir has affected the routine life some people have been much worrying about the fate of the student education that has got affected from the schooling view point.  Some critics talk about the importance of education and the present scenario of the ongoing freedom movement thereof. Indeed, many people following the context of the ongoing situation in Kashmir have been raising hue and cry for education, as per their viewpoint, becoming causality and these people have been suggesting that education should in no way be ignored, instead, it should enjoy a priority but these critics fail to offer the the ways and strategies under which “Education” could be safeguarded despite the circumstantial tempests and the turbulent situations. As for the importance and essence of education is concerned, everybody is concerned about it but at the same time everything including education has to have a smooth and conducive environment for functioning and practicability. When the atmosphere becomes unfavorable the routine functioning of any aspect can not go smoothly. Same applies to our education sector at present. Infact, we must draw a line between education and schooling. It is schooling that has got affected due to the present circumstances. Education is a big term to get embedded for the debate that it has got affected. In conflict ridden situations one has to give exercise to his mind to ponder upon that what the real education means in the given circumstances. When there is wrath and anger in the society for the atrocities and apprehensions being in vogue and the lives of the people are at risk how can be routine ventures of life carried out and for that matter, education should be an exception! It is not possible. When three to four teenagers are killed at an average on every day how can one go for a normal gesture. Every thing goes disturbed and life experiences a standstill. When a school going 9 year old boy gets killed by a bullet at Delina when he innocently runs after the vehicles of the forces, thinking that his people have made the ‘security forces’ to run away…..when the sole earner of a family, Fancy of Batamaloo on opening/closing the window of her house is being fired upon and killed without any sin. When a father is not allowed to mourn on his son just a moment after his killing and above all when the eight year boy of Batamaloo is, trampled under feet, to death for his being too naïve and innocent to understand the “restrictions’ imposed by the rulers of the time….and when there is no end to such brutalities. When one lives in the same society then how can be the smooth functioning of the routine engagements carried on. Is it possible? Now as for the aspect and concept of education is concerned, again, it is a big discussion, that in situations like Kashmir what does the term education mean in a broader perspective. In a normal academic schedule students go for schooling and there they are taught the fixed syllabi, say the primary students lessons like ‘thirsty crow’ and the higher secondary students the Darwinism, these things can be taught under alternative arrangements when a nation is struggling for a big cause and when such a struggle attains the whirlpool situation of life and death. Some people give the example of Afghanistan that it got liberated from Russia but, as per the the viewpoint of these people, due to ignorance towards education it again got enslaved now by coming under the tyranny of America. Such critics must give a rethink to their viewpoints for it is not the ignorance of Afghanis towards education which has caused them the trouble after liberation from Russia. Indeed, it is a global aspect under which America and its associates try to suppress the Muslims the world over and in this ‘mission’ they definitely prioritize the world territories giving the utmost priority to that region from where they feel ‘danger’. To draw a line between schooling and education I feel it pertinent to mention here a feeling of a kid as narrated by a friend of mine living in the Chattabal area of Srinagar that a few days back when during protest, after stone pelting incident a heavy group of ‘security forces’ evoked their wrath by breaking the glasses of the windows of their house and attacking the main gate of the house, the kid, who my friend told is reading in class First, got dumbfounded  and in  shock his face turned pale due to fear. He only came to senses after the attacking forces had gone away and his family members had started moving in the room fearlessly. The first word muttered by the kid was, “Tim Kar Yin”(when will they come) on asking who he meant, the kid mumbled “Yem Auchan Manz Seki Daane Chhi Trawaan” (Who drop sand particles in eyes….) On hearing this family member understood the kid and helped him saying whether he  meant……Touuuui….. “Touran Ababil” and the kid at once mumbled yes “Toiran Ababeel”. It can be imagined that when the attack on the house was being carried out, how fearful the kid had had turned and seeing even his family members and parents helpless and hapless …..how the kid pondered upon the creatures who throw sand particles in eyes, an event mentioned in Holy Quran which the kid might have heard earlier from his parents. I think no more elaboration is needed that how children learn the real education in conflict zones.

However, we should not restrict scope for discussions. For the time being the schooling of our children has got affected but at the same time when there are circumstantial tempests and turbulences it is not wise to raise hue and cry in vague without giving any alternative. Better to invent a workable alternative for the problems that arise above mere criticism while a big cause is our goal and we must get adapted to the situation and learn to live accordingly.