Quetta Pakistan : How Shahnaz Became Mohammed Saleem

How Shahnaz became Mohammed Saleem so she could study
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unicef.org
2 min
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Initially, the community in Shahnaz’s village demanded an ALP only for boys saying that in their culture, girls do not study. The ALP ( alternative learning programme ) was established in a temporary one-room structure made of bricks and clay.

Sadly, Shahnaz’ excitement did not last for long as she found out that the center would enroll only boys. She was still resolute to go and study.

“When I learnt that the school would only be for boys, that’s when I decided to become a boy,” Shahnaz explains.

Equally resolute that she should learn, Mira Khan bought his daughter a boy’s outfit she could wear at school.

“Shahnaz was only nine years old but her desire to go to school was the strongest,” he narrates, “so I enrolled her as a boy under a name she had chosen herself -- Muhammad Saleem.”

This was made easier by the fact that Mira Khan himself was the teacher at the centre.

For two months, Shahnaz pretended to be Muhammad Saleem as she attended classes at the centre.

While the boys were learning at the ALP, Shahnaz and her father continued to convince the community that education was equally important for girls. They succeeded in their efforts and the community agreed that girls could also join the ALP.

The management of the centre immediately decided to start a separate section for girls.

In about three months, an old structure close to the ALP was rehabilitated and the centre was shifted to the new building and girls were also enrolled.