Connection with roots, culture, heritage, vital to develop children's personality: Marriyum

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that it was imperative to connect children with their roots, culture, language and heritage with a view to develop their personality and mindset.

Speaking as a chief guest at the 30th anniversary celebrations of a private school system here Wednesday night, she said schools should regularly organize curricular and extra-curricular activities aimed at promoting indigenous culture, heritage and national language.

She said that Urdu was not only the Lingua Franca of Pakistan but also had a very strong bond with the culture of the country and as such needed to be promoted.

The minister said, “I have been saying, as is happening all around the world, schools should give their students short film and documentary projects so their linkage with their language and culture is restored and they become more aware of the landmarks of their country.”

Marriyum said during the last 30-35 years due to terrorism, children of Pakistan were deprived of screen tourism, and they were watching a lot of foreign content on television.

The minister said that with a view to strengthen the bonds of the new generation with their culture, cultural heritage and national language, the Ministry of Information was going to introduce ‘Summer Internship Project” on Radio and TV under which the students (both male and female) would be able to participate in the competition for making short documentary films and photo projects on those subjects. She invited the schools to participate in the project.

The minister while stressing the importance of English language in the global competitive era, advised the parents to keep their kids rooted in the native culture and values as that was the only way to bridge the missing link.

She said the Roots School System was vision of a lady named Ms Mushtaq and observed : “Her presence here itself is a testimony of her commitment, passion, and contribution to quality education in Pakistan and she deserves a great tribute from all of us. I have seen it with my own eyes how Ms Mustaq worked hard to lay foundation of the first Roots school. Today I can see her hard work in each one of the students who performed at the stage. I am delighted to see how her teachers are carrying forward her legacy.”

She also appreciated the hard work put in by her daughter Khadija Mushtaq for providing education and experiential learning to the young students.

The minister commended the principal and teachers for putting together a well researched grand show. “It was great to see the segment of Indus civilization and the children who participated in it. My suggestion to the teachers for the next annual day is to also have some performances in Urdu as it will strengthen our roots with the national language and landmarks,” she added.

The minister said that the principals, teachers, parents and children of Roots School System had created an ideology and quality of education in line with the standards and requirements of competitive education.

She said that the standard of education had improved a lot during the current democratic dispensation as credible efforts had been made to provide congenial and enabling environment to all the educational institutions.

During the event, Roots IVY showcased “Story of Civilizations ! A riot of colours , festivity and creativity”. The Roots IVY Riverview campus reverberated with exuberance and creativity of the IBPYP students who put forth a commendable display of "Civilizations of the World".

The students showcased their year long journey by presenting broadway styled performances on the IB Trans-disciplinary theme, "The World Around Us". The Annual Day opened with the enthralling perspectives from the Roots IVY class of 2018 pertaining to phenomenal acceptances from 3 IVY Leagues and countless other top ranked universities of the world.

This was followed by well synchronized performances by Early Years on the themes 'life begins' and 'early humans'. The IB early years also presented a touching tribute to mothers.

The students presented spectacular performances on ancient Egypt, ancient China, Indus valley, Ancient Greece and Modern age. The ardent young IVIANs expressed their patriotic fervour through an awe-inspiring tribute to Pakistan. The Annual day culminated in an elegant prize distribution ceremony where the minister awarded the IB Learner Awards.