Writings by Rabeea Sangani

  Back to the time in 2020 when I got done with my ‘O’levels. It was now time to choose a suitable A ‘level college. By then, I had already been exposed to books, lectures, and ideas about homeschooling. I had also learned how children are exploited, rebuked, punished, tested controlled, and humiliated in schools. None of that had fallen upon me since I was a high achiever. But-Cherry on top-high achievers undergo an even more disturbed psychological state than low-achievers. With scholarships pouring in from the top colleges of the city, it was time. I had to choose. I knew my character and confidence were deeply affected by the schooling system. Being a high -achiever, failure meant the end of world, even a small one. A-graders are afraid of mistakes, and they learn only for exams. Plus, they hate it when the limelight changes the direction. I could not repeat the same mistake. Knowing something and yet not putting into practice would have been a deception. My choice was made...

Trapped under the illusion of a falsely meritocratic, west-endorsed, education system and ambitiously competing against sophomores and fellows who were supposed to be collaborators in learning, youngsters today face greater threats. I would specify colleges/schools here since this is, usually, the beginning point of all the noxious cultures I have stated below and feeds continuation of many. The concert, Kawali nights, movie nights, and field trips culture: To avoid the risk of appearing as an idealistic personality, I will not deny: West is the new globe. Contemporarily, West overrides any other ideology in many people’s lives. Ranging from individual choice to the constitution of a country, nobody is vaccinated against the contagion. Saying this, I also admit to the necessity of acquisition of modern education and the use of western means. Nevertheless, we are not forced to abandon our values, especially the ones that are distinctive features between us and many. Violation of Islam...