Islamabad, 29 September 2021 (TDI): UNICEF has shared a story about a girl that disguised herself as a boy to study in an Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) which is basically funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and supported by UNICEF.
In the district where only boys were allowed to go to school and study, 12 years old Shahnaz dreamed of studying at school.
She went there by disguising her gender to study. This secret was only known by her teacher, Mira Khan, who was her father as well. Shahnaz pretended to be a boy, Muhammad Saleem, for two months. During these months, Shahnaz and her father encourage the community to let their girls join the school.
Through their efforts, the community agreed and the management of ALP decided to create a separate section for girls. However, the school closure due to pandemics has delayed the students’ schooling but the center has recently reopened to resume their schooling.
Students can resume their learning and follow their goals. For numerous children of Balochistan, this ALP center, supported by UNICEF, is their first chance at education. This is helping them move towards a better future.
