APP
MULTAN
Better socioeconomic condition of teachers will not only boost their morale but also build their capacity to ensure quality of education and enhance literacy rate as ‘Saalam Teachers’ Day’ is insufficient to recognise the meritorious services being rendered by the nation builders. “Salaam Teachers’ Day, observe on Oct 5 every year, is mere a symbolic tribute and doesn’t befit the commendable services being dispensed by the teaching community and they should be encouraged economically as well to ameliorate their sufferings.
Ferheen Fatima Khan, who topped Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Multan in the HSSC examination 2013, stated this during in an exclusive interview with this agency here on Sunday.
Ferheen, who bagged 1,040 marks out of total 1,100 in the intermediate examination under the BISE Multan, said that highly qualified teachers should be appointed at grassroots level to make the foundation of students strong.
To a question, she pointed out that satisfaction of a reader laid in books as they had complete versions although Internet had faded away both quality reading material and habit. “Reading habit to mind is like exercise for the body,” she elaborated and added that she read novels of Dan Brown and JK Rowlings for pleasure as it enhanced her vocabulary besides inculcating creativity.
She disclosed that she used to spend 14 hours for studies on daily basis, but had to take leave from college and academy off and on for rest.
“I have a schedule for my leisure time. I listen to English songs. Accent and Culture Shock are my favourite bands.” Ferheen who also stood 2nd in Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination under BISE, Multan, with 1018 marks, said that she would become a dermatologist (skin specialist) in future.
About the Punjab government initiatives for the promotion of education, the topper said the government was taking a lot of steps and added that the government was encouraging position holders at SSC and HSSC levels by foreign trips in addition to medals and cash prizes.
Replying another question, she said, “Education opens an empty mind,” adding that students should attach utmost importance to their studies and give lesser significance to other matters.
About co-curricular activities, she believed that they played a vital role in the character building of a student and go hand in hand with studies. When asked about existing curricula prescribed for FSc by the Punjab Text Book Board, she suggested that selective topics should be taught thoroughly at the level instead of giving know-how of a variety of topics to students.
“Some subjects do not match my aesthetic sense. Besides, biophysics should be concentrated for pre-medical students in FSc instead of teaching generators which is useless for them.”
“Chemistry, though a tough subject, has been my favourite since Class 9 and I secured full marks (200 out of total 200) in Chemistry in FSc,” Ferheen said.