Sindh, Pakistan's second-largest province, is grappling with a severe education crisis, and Sujawal district stands as one of the most affected areas. The district, located 150 kilometers from Karachi along the Arabian Sea coast, is facing a literacy rate of just 25.12%, with female literacy standing at a staggering low of 6%. This worrying situation is compounded by the dilapidated state of the majority of schools in the district, with an alarming 80% of state-owned school buildings reported to be in poor condition.
Amidst these challenges, a ray of hope has emerged in the form of 14-year-old Saniya Memon, a student of Peoples School Sujawal. Despite the hurdles she faces as a female student in a region with one of the lowest literacy rates in Sindh, Saniya has managed to make her mark by becoming a member of the Children's Parliament, a collaborative initiative by the Education Department, UNICEF, and the Reform Support Unit.
Although Saniya is only an 8th grader—below the required criteria to join the Parliament—her teachers saw her exceptional academic potential and recommended her for membership. This honor has fueled her determination to drive change in her community.
As a member of the Children’s Parliament, Saniya has launched a district-wide campaign to convince parents to send their children to school. She has already succeeded in enrolling 12 out-of-school children, including four of her neighbors. Beyond this, Saniya is addressing challenges faced by students in Sujawal, regularly visiting schools to distribute books and stationery, and conducting motivational sessions during morning assemblies to emphasise the value of education.
Saniya’s parents, Muhammad Ashraf Memon and his wife, are proud of their daughter’s contributions to her community. Ashraf Memon encourages other parents to break free from entrenched societal norms and allow their daughters the chance to pursue their futures through education.
The local education community is also rallying behind Saniya. Educationist Nisar Memon describes Saniya as a "crusader of hope," providing inspiration to children who had lost faith in the prospect of quality education. Pratab Shivani, another educationist, highlights the critical need for more efforts to improve the literacy rate across Sindh.
Piyar Ali Khowaja, District Education Officer of Sujawal, acknowledged Saniya's exceptional efforts and noted that the Education Department is working to improve the district's literacy rate. New teacher recruits are being deployed to provide modern education to students in the most remote areas.
Saniya’s relentless efforts are making a significant impact, but improving the literacy rate of Sujawal will remain a long-term challenge. Nevertheless, her determination is igniting change and inspiring others to join the cause. With the backing of her family, local educationists, and social activists, Saniya proves that one individual’s efforts can spark widespread change.
In the face of Sindh’s education crisis, Saniya’s story shines as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that courage and determination can lead to transformation even in the most challenging circumstances.