Firdous Ahmad Najar
This year, a worrying issue appeared in some schools, which are supposed to be places of learning, discipline, character building, and good values. Instead of guiding students toward good behavior, a few schools witnessed an unfortunate trend during the farewell parties of Class 10th and 12th students, held around in the month of October, likely after the Board of School Education (BOSE) Kashmir published the date sheet for these classes.
These farewell parties, which should have been the occasions to express gratitude and bid farewell with respect and dignity, instead became events of concern. The practice of exchanging autographs, a new trend in farewells especially in co-educational institutions, turned the whole event into something very inappropriate.
What was once meant to be a simple and heartfelt gesture of remembrance has crossed the limits of decency.
Students, both boys and girls, were seen signing on each other’s uniforms and even on hijabs, acts that reflected a complete disregard for personal respect and modesty. What some perceived as harmless fun actually revealed lack of awareness about moral values, privacy, and boundaries.
There is nothing wrong in celebrating the good memories of the school, showing respect to senior students, and bidding them farewell with honour and dignity.
However, the scenes of immodesty and indiscipline witnessed on such occasions reflect how easily respect for moral values can fade in the absence of proper guidance. Schools must ensure that these events do not turn into platforms for behaviour that goes against decency and respect.
The institution where such objectionable activities have reportedly taken place clearly reflects the truth of the old saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” When science laboratories, computer labs, and libraries remain locked for most of the year, and students are not provided opportunities to engage in sports, creative pursuits, or co-curricular activities, they are likely to drift toward negative and undesirable behavior.
If the mind and body are not kept occupied with purposeful and constructive tasks, students can easily fall into the trap of misconduct and indiscipline.
It is also sad to see that in these institutions, academic and moral priorities are being neglected. Sometimes the syllabus remains incomplete, yet time is given to events that do not contribute to students’ learning or values.
This raises serious questions about what schools truly value. The focus must return to education, discipline, and moral training, not meaningless celebrations.
It is primary responsibility of schools to make sure students remain busy in meaningful curricular and co-curicular activities. Opening labs and libraries, organizing sports, and encouraging cultural and academic events can help students use their energy in positive ways.
This will also stop them from getting involved in acts that damage the school’s discipline and image.
The school holds a place of the highest honour in every religion. It is regarded as next in sanctity to a Mosque, Mandir, Gurudwara, or Church because, in early times these places were not only centres of worship but also the places of learning and moral development.
When immoral activities take place within schools, this sanctity is deeply violated. Therefore, schools must ensure that their dignity is preserved and their environment consistently promotes learning, morality, and discipline.
Allowing such things to take place during a school event not only damages the reputation of the school but also sends a wrong message to younger students. It makes them believe that such behavior is acceptable, which is dangerous for their moral growth.
Teachers and school heads should realize that their permission or silence during such acts makes them equally responsible.
It is fortunate that this particular event did not become widely known to the public. If it had, it would have angered many parents and possibly caused serious problems for the school head and staff.
No parent can tolerate an attack on the dignity and moral upbringing of their child. Such incidents could have seriously damaged the school’s reputation and the trust that parents have in it.
Parents send their children, especially their daughters to school with full faith that they will be educated in a safe, respectful, and disciplined environment. When that trust is broken, it creates disappointment and anger.
Schools should never forget that they are not only places for book learning but also institutions responsible for shaping good character and morals.
Students must also remember that they come to school to gain quality education and to grow in all aspects of life like physical, mental, social, and emotional. Their involvement in such inappropriate activities shows that they are straying from the true purpose of education.
It is important for them to reflect on their actions and understand what is leading them away from discipline and respect. Students should not waste their precious time or the hard-earned money of their parents.
Parents already bear heavy burden of responsibilities and still make sacrifices to provide their children with the best education, hoping it will secure their future and bring them peace,when they turn old.
Always keep in mind that every individual is answerable before Almighty Allah for how they use their youth, time, and resources.
It is also evident that no religion permits such acts to take place. As Muslims, we are guided by the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Hadith, both of which strongly forbid such practices.
Islam teaches us to maintain clear boundaries between males and females in accordance with the principles of mahram and ghair mahram relationships. Therefore, beyond our general moral duty, it becomes a religious responsibility for every Muslim to uphold these teachings.
Allowing un-Islamic and indecent behavior within schools represents a serious breach of duty on the part of school heads and staff, especially when educational institutions are expected to eliminate such evils from society rather than allow them to occur within their premises.
Parents should also ensure that their children are in the right hands, right company, and on the right track of education. They should monitor their every movement, both inside and outside the school. They are also answerable before Almighty Allah, as the Holy Qur’an clearly says:
“Ya ayyuhal-lazina amanu qu anfusakum wa ahlikum nara“
(O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from the fire of Hell)
This holy verse makes it very clear that parents are responsible for protecting themselves and their families from anything that can lead them astray. Therefore, parents must take this responsibility seriously and ensure that their children are guided towards the right moral and right path.
This growing problem needs serious attention from teachers, parents, and policymakers. Schools should include moral education and social awareness in their lessons. Teachers must talk to students about respect, modesty, and discipline. Parents should also play their role by guiding their children about the right and wrong ways to behave in public and social events.
In conclusion, farewell parties are not bad by themselves. They can be beautiful events where students express love and gratitude towards teachers and friends. However, the way these events are conducted decides whether they promote good values or lead to moral decline.
Schools must ensure that such functions are held in a disciplined and respectful manner, following both moral and religious principles. By doing so, they can create an environment where students grow into responsible, respectful, and morally upright individuals, who carry forward the true purpose of education, faith, and humanity.
The writer is resident of Arin Bandipora and can be reached at njfirdous090@gmail.com
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