In Response to Communal Violence, E2E Builds School for Girls

Recently, the Times of India reported that the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar district of Utter Pradesh has led to a lesser known casualty-girl's access to education.  Scared for their safety, young girls have been banned by their families to walk long distances to school.

E2E's board member, Dr. Syed Iqbal Hasnain, is the inspiration behind a new girl's only school in his ancestral village of Muzaffarnagar.  The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calicut in the state of Kerala and the winner of the 2009 Padma Shri from the President of India, Dr. Hasnain was called to action after a recent visit back home.

First Girl's School in Muzaffarnagar, built by Dr. Iqbal in Partnership with E2E

“When I returned to my village, I felt a mix of frustration and dismay. Muzaffarnagar had recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons due to communal violence between Muslims and Hindus.  What I noticed were the number of girls, regardless if they were Muslim or Hindu, at home performing domestic chores instead of learning in a classroom. Why was the media not focusing their spotlight on this issue?  In 2013, India is at the forefront of information technology, yet it is one of the highest ranked countries for child illiteracy.”

Dr. Hasnain describes his heart inspired initiative as a “small baby step that might ripple into a larger movement led by local communities”.  After spending time interviewing Hindu and Muslim families throughout Uttar Pradesh, he learned an interesting fact.  Most families wanted their girls to learn and attend school. 

“When I visited villages in UP and I saw young girls engaged in agriculture and household activities, I asked parents why they’re not in school.  The response I consistently received was that the schools were not accessible because it was not safe for girls to walk long distances to attend the same schools that boys attend.”

Regardless of caste or religious sect, most families withdrew their girls from school once they reached age 13.  And once a girl was no longer in school, the remaining alternative was to train her for domestic work and have her married.

Changing social traditions can be a long process.  Dr. Hasnain’s new school is modeled to reflect the pedagogical style of the West, inculcating the curriculum with critical thinking skills.  When a girl learns to value her own thoughts and experiences in addition to analyzing the world from a critical perspective, harmful traditions change. 

This year 14 girls ranging from ages 4 to 6 years old have enrolled in what is called “Green Acres Girls Public School”.  Next year, a much larger enrollment of girls is expected now that communities are area of this school’s accessibility.  If enough resources become available, kindergarten through third grade classrooms will be offered.

“To attract quality teachers to a village school is perhaps the biggest challenge. We also hope to bring volunteers and other resources from abroad to teach and train our teachers.  I am looking forward to what emerges through this partnership with Educate to Empower.”

E2E is also looking forward to seeing the girls in Muzaffarnagar learn, ask questions, and realize their unique truths.  In the coming months, we will continue building similar partnerships with individuals and organizations that are focused on the empowerment of girls through education.  We are excited to imagine a new future for tomorrow’s women.