Should Students Be Allowed To Grade Their Teachers?

Since our childhood we have been taught by our religion and elders that a teacher and a students have a spiritual relationship; it is not limited to only academics, but it’s a life time bonding where a teacher is a spiritual father to his students.

Closeness of the relationships allows the students to have the right of evaluating their teachers provided they do so without being rude or disrespectful to them. Moreover, this grading of teachers should be just for the sake of improvement in teaching style, course content etc, rather than followed by some personal grudge or favoritism. If taken and performed positively, this evaluation is going to work for the progress of not only teachers, schools, colleges, universities, but also for students.

From these evaluations, teachers will come to know what students like or dislike about the teaching methodology and content. They will realize which topics are difficult or easy from students’ point of view. They will discover which activities are more enjoyable, affective and motivating for students to learn more and better. Also, teachers find out the ways that reach out to students and avoid the ways that don’t, e.g. they can change the way they deliver a lecture or they can facilitate students to participate in activities they like. This all will contribute to the quality of teaching and teacher-student relationship.

On the other hand, teachers can also receive increments in their salaries if their evaluations are marked good by their students. Concerning administrational benefits, student evaluations give an idea of which teachers are most effective and popular among students. They help administrators to know if their students are satisfied or not with the school, college or university program. Also, it provides the administration a guideline for the improvement of the whole institution.

          Contrarily, some people don’t approve the idea of teacher’s evaluation  because they believe that the personal grudges or favoritism on the part of students will affect a teacher’s evaluation. But the answer to these arguments is again the same that teacher and students have a spiritual relationship and an effective teacher is the one who makes the classroom a community in which students not only feel comfortable but also respected and valued. If this atmosphere is sustained, definitely there will not be any element of favoritism, personal frustrations, and ultimately, students will evaluate their students honestly and effectively which will assist the whole institution to progress.

BY: Anam Tahir

Sec: D

Privacy Is Not The Most Important Right...

Privacy is actually defined as the right to be left alone or not to share your belongings with others. These belongings may include your information, your matters, your truth, and your secrets.

The right of privacy is valued most by the free people. This is a fundamental human right and it should be availed by everyone without any fear or hesitation. A society with a total lack of privacy would be intolerable and a society with complete privacy would not be a society.

Rights are basically made for the welfare of people. These rights should be availed properly with complete guidance. According to me, the only thing that matters is one’s happiness and satisfaction. If someone feels comfortable in keeping one’s stuff private than he must be given a proper right to do so, and, if he feels satisfaction in sharing his personal stuff with others, then no one should force him to keep it secret.

To an extent, privacy is very much required in life. It keeps one’s information safe and sound. Without it life will be a hell where one is highly vulnerable to the control of others. And, one might lose one’s freedom which may lead to inhibition, tentativeness, inspontaneity and being manipulated. In other words, one will be on the mercy of others; anytime any of someone’s personal information may be disclosed to others which may cause him any kind of harm, discomfort or embarrassment.

Privacy demands responsibility as well . Many times people keep things private because they believe that they are doing something wrong and that should be kept hidden from others. But if someone is doing everything right , there is no harm in being private because then it’s just matter of comfort or choice. As it is very cleverly said by an anonymous,

"If I'm not doing anything wrong, then you have no cause to watch me."

In fact, privacy is an inherent human need for maintaining life with dignity and respect.

If I talk about my country Pakistan, here we are observed all the time in all matters, and we are constantly under the threat of correction, criticism, even negation of our own uniqueness. We as children are often restricted and fearful by the 24 hours watchful eyes of our family, relatives and society. Consequently, we lose our individuality, identity and self-confidence. So, it is very important to keep a balance in life by teaching others to be private with responsibility. Secondly, privacy should be taken in a positive sense in the society.

BY: SYED ALI MARDAN

Sec D

Is Cheating A Shortcut To Success?

Cheating refers to the breaking of rules to gain advantage in a competitive situations like examination, sports, etc. People usually do cheating in order to exceed others through unfair means. They use cheating as a shortcut to be successful.

But unfortunately, they are unaware of the risks involved in it. For example, when a student cheats another student in the exams, he doesn’t know if the one he is copying is right or wrong. Secondly, would he really enjoy his success attained by unfair means, where he knows clearly that he doesn’t deserve it? Thirdly, would he ever be confident about his learning in terms of concepts and skills that could have been learnt only through honesty? Fourthly, if he is caught cheating and punished for it, will he ever earn the real respect and trust of his fellow students and teachers?

Same is the case with the students who steal others ideas for their projects and assignments or do plagiarism using internet, although as a matter of fact, e-resources have made cheating easier and more accessible for everyone. But in fact, a cheater is eventually a loser.

So,  we should condemn cheating in all possible ways and develop a cheating proof system for all areas of life. At university level, we need some fundamental changes, e.g.

out of syllabus or extremely difficult mathematical problems shouldn’t be given in the exams; papers should be made according to the level of the students. Moreover, open book exams should be promoted to evaluate students’ concepts and skills. Hopefully, it will close the door of cheating and students will have to be honest and hardworking if they really want to be successful.

Maheen Rashid 

Section D

DOES AGE MATTER IN RELATIONSHIPS?

Relationships are, actually, among the greatest blessings of God. God first created Adam and Eve, and then, He created a whole generation of humans out of the couple. A single being created have different roles according to his relations to other people like parents, siblings, relatives, friends, spouse, and society. An individual’s behaviour varies from person to person according to the needs and demands of the nature of the relationship he has with others.

A parent-child relationship is the best example in certifying the fact that age does not matter. Parents, despite their huge age difference, are the most sincere, loving and caring company, best friends, teachers and counselors to their children.

Similarly, from both the Islamic and sociological perspective, friendship is another significant relationship, which plays a vital role in influencing an individual's mind and attitude. In addition, friendship can also develop the component of spirituality and moral well-being in a person. It’s a chemistry between hearts and minds where someone is able to understand the views of the other person, can discuss issues with him and enjoy the company. In a healthy society, friendship between youth and age is always appreciated where not only both of them learn from each other but also have fun together. Even according to Islam, age does not matter, but the things that matter in friendship are  sincerity, love and care. However, friendship, as a whole, requires wisdom with which each individual may selects his friends.  Describing the conditions of friendship, Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi said:

“Not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the necessary characteristics that making friendship with him is something to be desired. The one you seek to be friend must be intelligent, well mannered, must not be a faseq and should not be eager for worldly things”
['Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin'; p. 126-132] 
Islam emphasizes on certain characteristics but has not specified any age limit to be friends. Similarly, not only friendship, but none of the relations requires people to be of the same age.

History, specifically Islamic history, gives the example of a successful married life of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Khadeejah (R.A) with an age difference of 15 years. If age difference mattered, then how could that marriage be so successful to be a marvelous incident of history where she (R.A) was the dearest wife. Both had exemplary and intense love and respect for each other. Then, love between him (PBUH) and Aaishah (R.A) was also passionate and exemplary despite her being extremely young as compared to him.

This is another idea picked up from Western influences that both spouses must be very close in their ages. There, age differences are thought to be inimical for a happy marriage. But the question is if closeness in age creates better harmony and happiness in a married life? In fact, human experience does not support the assumption. In truth, harmony and happiness is a frame of mind and matter of attitude. If the spouses have the right attitude and the right emotions, age difference is not an issue at all. So, Age is nothing but a number, what matters actually is maturity and the level of thinking.

 In our society, age is now considered as an important factor. Parents want their children to be friends with them but they don’t ever allow them to sit in the  company of elders, from where they might get wisdom of their seniors’ life experiences. So, it is a negative trend that should be discouraged by sensible and well aware people.

BY: AZKAH ANSARI

Sec: D

                                                       

WHY ARE GIRLS MEAN TO EACH OTHER?

‘Why are girls mean to each other?’ is a question frequently asked by people specially boys. In fact, it is not quite right to define all girls as mean but some of them definitely are. It is because the nature of a woman is quite different from that of a man. Women, naturally, compare themselves more to other women regarding their age, qualities and possessions, etc., and, get envious easily and quickly. Moreover, unlike men, they express themselves implicitly. As a result, their jealously reflects in their behavior with other girls. And, unconsciously, they represent themselves as mean to other females.

Some girls are envious by nature and they are mean to everyone, including both girls and boys. In fact, they simply can’t help it because this is the way they are.

Unfortunately, we have a male oriented society, where girls are suppressed at different levels. And, they are supposed to make all kinds of sacrifices as compared to men in all relationships. Consequently, they react resentfully to not only girls but to boys as well. Moreover, in the given circumstances, they develop a kind of inferiority complex and low self-esteem in their personalities,  which result in rudeness on their part. These girls are always worried about their looks, intelligence, possessions, etc. and find other girls as their rivals. And, in the competition, they want to supersede every one. For that purpose, they just don’t hesitate to be mean or rude with their competitors.

On the other hand, if they are brought up in a healthy environment, where they are nurtured through the access of all human rights and opportunities, they find less insecurities in life and tend to have a positive attitude towards life and people.

In conclusion, although all the girls are not mean to each other, but if a number of them are, there are certain reasons behind it. So, we should try to eliminate those reasons and problems. Secondly, we should spread awareness among girls that their negative attitude will not benefit their gender. The best approach to deal with the situation is to identify their real issues and sort them out. They can do so only by building their personalities through keeping themselves engaged in positive activities, like further education, jobs, pursuing their interests and hobbies, etc. Thus, they will not only come out of any kinds of complexes but also have better control over their everyday life matters.

As far as the girls are concerned who are jealous and mean by nature, and stay the same despite all the healthy environment around them, we simply can’t do much for them except to accept them as they are.

Ans Awais

Sec:D

Life Is A Race!

Life is a race. Run, and if you can’t, others will supersede you. In other words, competition is an inevitable and unavoidable feature of life; you are left with only one choice, i.e. compete or die.

Nothing is impossible in life provided you have faith in yourself. With enough self-confidence, preparation for the assignments and patience you can put yourself in any competition. Despite the brutal fact, a question occurs, “Whether competition is good or bad?” People may differ on the topic, but if a person wants to improve himself in certain ways, will have to appreciate competition. In truth, competition is an exposure of something better, and, an inspiration to learn more and work harder. Also, It provides you with the opportunities to find out and develop your hidden talents. However, it demands wisdom and discipline. To be successful in a competition, you have to be a realistic and practical person. First, you will have to set your goals and make strategies to move towards your destination step by step. If you do so with courage and determination, no one can stop you from winning a competition. Here, always remember that a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. 

Ismail Jan,

Sec D

Silent Rays of Hope

We are always told:  ‘life is not a bed of roses’, but in response, we smile, absorb these words and move on, maybe because we never want to face a hard time or maybe because we have always been enjoying bright days. Finally, a  particular time comes when we experience ups and downs of life and realize the harsh realities as well. In fact, we all go through the times again and again when we find darkness all around and feel all abandoned. Then, we go back to old times which were so beautiful; we were safe and happy, cherishing each and every moment, completely unaware of bitter realities of life.

For example, a former prosperous businessman, who has lost everything now, must be thinking,  ‘Why did it happen only with ME?’ He recalls his old good times that adds to his sense of failure. In other words, it is a critical phase of his life when he loses hope finding his future uncertain. The loss of hope makes him dull, inefficient and unmotivated. At this crucial moment, a tiny ray  of hope may change the whole scenario for him dramatically, because this is the only thing that sustains life in true sense, just like food, water, air and sunlight keep us alive physically. In fact, hope is what inspires us to move forward because we believe that tomorrow will truly be a better day.

Now question is what it takes to be hopeful towards life? Well, in my opinion, its FAITH!! Hope and faith together teaches us that nothing is ever perfect in this world. In fact, it is unreasonable to expect everything to always go smoothly. If you hope for the best and prepare for the worst, you will be better able to handle the curve balls that life throws at you.

Fortunately, we can find hope and faith built in our support system. It is essential to have a strong support system around you. For some of us the support system is our family, while for others it may be a circle of close friends or our spiritual relationship with God. The key is to identify what our support system is, and then we need to utilize it.

We should not be afraid of asking for help because that is what a support system is there for. Sometimes, simply getting a different perspective from someone else can restore our hope in a situation. In fact, having someone dear to share our issues with, cannot only be supportive, but it can also be inspiring for us at the time of need.

Experience tells us that life is never easy for anyone, but we can meet all its challenges successfully by staying close to our support system and keeping our hopes alive .

Zahid Idrees
Sec D

My First Love, My Mother

Every time, I hurt her but she always cares about me in return. Whenever I am ill, she sits behind me all the night staring at me in order to make sure that I am perfectly taken care of. She can’t close her eyes even for a little while so that when I wake up, I don't get worried by not finding her there for me. But I don’t know why, many times, I just can’t care about her feelings. Her love for me is visibly immeasurable; tears in my eyes or any bruises on my body hurt her deeply. Similarly, she loves to see a smile on my face all the time. Surprisingly, every time she already knows what is in my heart.

In my childhood, I loved to play cricket. I remember, those days she could never get relaxed until I returned home safe and sound. Till today, all my tensions vanish in her company; her kind face, knowing eyes and wise words help me to confront the issues bravely and sort them out confidently. Before every exam, contest or a tough time when I see her praying for me, I feel a lot of strength and calm inside me to meet the challenge.

Like everyone else, the secret behind my peaceful life and all the success is my mom. Whoever I am today, it’s just because of my mom’s support and efforts. She is the amazing selfless soul, who scarified everything to see me happy and flourishing in my life. How can I forget that she had to lose her friendships and all the socialization time just to spend time with me in order to help me with my studies every evening. When people were enjoying beauty naps in the afternoon, she used to be in the market with me buying material for our educational projects at school or purchasing equipments for my sports and co-curricular activities. I have flash backs of my rehearsals of dramas and debates that were held and directed by her at home so that I could perform with excellence at school. I still remember how fun was her company when I used to play outdoor or indoor games with her, and every time, she, deliberately, chose to be a looser just to see me happy (I was unaware of the fact that time). Similarly, every weekend we used to watch two kids’ movies together. I have  a full fledged album of such enjoyable memories that contributed to what I am today.

Now, when I am a grown up, she thinks I am still the same young child:

"Have you taken your breakfast? Finish your milk before your university bus arrives."

"Button your cuffs. Today, you did not comb your hair well!"

"Oh, wear your sweater quickly, otherwise you will catch cold."

"My God! I can’t approve of your wearing trousers while going outside, specially with me."

"How about your studies? These days, you are spending so much time on facebook, isn’t it? etc."

Although it’s annoying and irritating most of the time, but I understand it now; it’s her way of loving and protecting me. Since I opened my eyes, I found her by my side, caring and nurturing me. With her, I experienced love first time in my life. She is my first true love.

I don’t know why, despite all the awareness, I can’t acknowledge her love, care and contribution for me most of the time.  Here, I recall a story:

While passing through a bridge, a mom said to her son,

 “Hold my hand tightly!”

The son replied:

“No mom, you hold my hand.”

 Mom asked:

“What is the difference in it, son?”

The son answered:

“ Mom, may be I leave you when I am in trouble but I am sure you can’t leave my hand under any condition.”

But now, through this article, I discovered my relationship and bonding with my mother. Certainly, her love for me is evident and matchless. And, I have no words to thank her for all that she did for me.

Muhammad Ismail

Sec D

YOU AND ME; THE MORAL SENSE OF DUTY

It’s been long enough since we met. Have you forgotten me or just ignoring me? Don’t you remember me, your soul mate? Don’t you remember the time when we were together and you used to consult me before taking any step? And, I guided you  through all the way in my best capacity? But then what? Why is there a long silence on your part?  What have I done that has pulled you so far away from me?

     Remember, we planned to climb high along the ladder to success along with our morals? Then you declined, but I’m still standing there, waiting for you to return.  I can’t see you falling down. I want to help you out. Why don’t you listen to me??

    Remember, we decided to move towards the right path, but then I didn’t know, what made you drag yourself to the left. Also, we promised to be good companions together to work mutually towards our destination but you changed your mind along with your circle of friends. Why don’t I see myself among your friends now?

    Where are you going my Master? Are you unable to differentiate between the right and wrong or have you forgotten your track? Have you let our plans, our ambitions and our promises slip away, too?

    Did you remember we  planned to stay together to help each other? Then why don’t you trust me now? Why do you ignore my calls? Why don’t you help me when I’m sinking down? Why don’t you hold my hand the way I want to hold yours when you need me?

   See, can you live without me like this for ever? For a moment, just look at yourself. What are you now?  You are a life without ambition, an eye without insight, a body without soul, a mind without thought or a step without direction. You are nothing without me. I was your strength once but now you are weak. I always saved you, but now, why are you ruining yourself?

    You can’t live without me. Why don’t you understand it? I’m your CONSCIENCE. How could you survive without me? When you are unable to think, and, judge the right and wrong, then where would you go? What will you do? Do you know you really need me?? You need my guidance and my help. Just give me a chance once again and I’ll help you move forward and won’t let you down. 

    Let’s be together again. Mutually, we will win the world. Come back before it’s too late. You are not so far away. Please come back. Don’t waste the time anymore. Don’t let it pass away and leaving you with nothing but regrets. Help yourself my Lord…Help yourself by yourself!

AZKAH ANSARI

Sec: D

Success in Life on What it Depends

Before we discuss the topic, ‘Success in Life on What it Depends’, we should be clear and sharp about what is success? Success is the completion of anything intended. In other words, success is the accomplishment of what you have planned. Behind all efforts there lies a hope for success. Man plans and strives for something until there is the faintest hope of its success. In other words, the hope generates and directs human energy. So, keen in his desire for success, he takes it as the only thing worth-living in life and refuses to see any probability of failure. He denies the statement:

                               Failure is the Pillar of Success.

Success may be described as a fruitful outcome of an effort followed by an aim. In other words, when a man is engaged in serious work, at the back of his mind there is always an objective which he desires to attain. In the process, he naturally has to confront two types of factors essential for his success:

·      Factors which are within his control

·      Factors which are beyond his control

As far as first category is concerned, there are certain elements, possibilities, opportunities and resources within his approach and control and on which he directly depends for success. They comprise physical and mental abilities. For example, in the first place, he should be physically fit to carry out his plans because often well planned schemes fail on the account of ill health or physical disability. Life is a continuous challenge and those who are physically weak can not fight it well. Secondly, another factor essentially required for success is intelligence, including the intellectual and emotional fitness both.

Moving towards success, first we must have a clear vision about where to go and what to achieve. This will enable us to be clear minded about our purpose which we determine to accomplish. The life with several aims exhausts one’s energy and tires oneself. Man who goes on planning to act on one scheme or another, having true faith in none, achieves nothing in the end. As it is said:

                                        “A rolling stone gathers no moss’’

On the other hand, the factors beyond our control can’t provide us with any help regarding success. So, it’s better to put them aside and focus our energies on what is available and possible. This may enable us to be ready to move towards the next stage where we have better opportunities.

As a final word, success doesn’t come along only with mental and physical fitness, but also, it requires a lot of consistent effort. Hard work, discipline and organization materialize a dream.

Yamna Javed
Sec: D

Degree; another status symbol

Now-a-days, as a matter of fact, most parents, due to their limited awareness, want to send their children to medical or engineering professions. No doubt, both the fields have a good scope, and, ensure a secure and promising career. But giving the undue importance to the professions, we have put our students into an unbeatable competition. There are many students who are left behind despite having good grades and eligibility, just because of limited number of medical and engineering institutes. In Lahore, there are only four medical colleges which are currently running under government and one recognised engineering university. Rest of them, either do not hold an accredited educational status or are private institutions offering expensive education which most middle class families can not afford.

      To control this enormous flow of students towards these fields, an entrance test system was introduced about 8 to 10 years back named as the MCAT and the ECAT. Its purpose is to filter and further shortlist the students going for medical and engineering. In fact, it is a methodology to torture the students and making a maximum number of students fail, so that a few are left for admissions. Last year, due to some abrupt changes in the MCAT, more than 30,000 candidates were unable to clear it. The question is if it is fair with the students on the part of authorities? And, does it seem logical to judge the capability of a student in just one stupid test whereas he had previously been scoring around 80% to 85 % marks in intermediate exams?

       On the other hand, these days in Pakistan, there is a high rate of unemployment in these fields. But people do not understand it. Actually, it has somehow been carved out as a social status that if a student is not able to get admitted in medical or engineering university, he is not intelligent enough to be able to have a bright career. Other careers that he may pursue are taken as lower is social status. Thus, he becomes a shame for his family. So, under the stressful situation students are working day and night and still many of them do not achieve their targets to be admitted to medical or engineering professions.

     

      Another mournful fact is our corrupt examination system that allows a lot of distortion with results of the students. Recently, after the announcement of the faulty intermediate part 1 results this year, a boy committed suicide on hearing his low marks which were completely opposite to his expectations. These factors make students’ lives miserable and chaotic.

Previously, the symbols of pride were wealth, caste etc. Now, degrees are also associated with it, particularly medical and engineering qualifications. On the other hand, the professions like teaching, art and law etc. that had a good reputation in the time of our ancestors are not given much importance today thinking that they are ordinary professions. People are aware of what is happening to the students as a consequence of the societal pressures but still they are blindly following the already set standards in society.

Concluding, I must say that we need some restructuring in the conventional thought system of the society. First of all, we should be aware that humans are born with different talent and aptitudes to cater the needs of different professions. So, parents and the society should help the child explore himself and let him choose the right career suiting to his abilities and inclinations. Similarly, we will have to give equal respect to all the occupations regardless of money. I believe that if a student is in suitable vocation, no matter what it is, he has more potential and possibility to excel. Once, he knows his job well, money runs after him.

Saher Kibria

Sec: D