Going to schools in the shadow of terror threat

Effects of terrorism, abrupt closures of schools on students’ learning outcomes; some remedies and solutions; an interview with Syed Abidi, noted career counsellor & education expert

Over the years terrorism has, undoubtedly, been a menace to everyone in Pakistan like rest of the world. However, a kind of shift has been noticed vis-à-vis this threat in the country after the attack on Army Public School (APS), Peshawar in December 2014 and more recently after the attack on Bacha Khan University, Charsadda. 

Today our children are vulnerable and exposed to such threats on a daily basis when going to schools. The government has been asking management of schools to follow comprehensive SOPs and adopt measures to physically protect their buildings and premises and increase security through employing trained and armed guards. All these steps are now becoming routine standards and norms at schools. 

However, there are serious psychological and sociological impact on our children especially in the age bracket of 5 to 16 (up to K-12) that may have long-term effects on the behaviour and learning outcome of our young children and adolescents living in this environment of threat and unfortunately very little is being done to address these.      

It is in this context The News correspondent recently had a discussion with noted career counsellor and education expert, Syed Azhar Husnain Abidi, vis-à-vis debate on terror threats to our children and youths in schools and universities. 

Syed Abidi is a renowned educationist in Pakistan, with more than 20 years of experience as provider of education counselling services. He has represented Pakistan in over 100 national and international seminars, conferences and fora. He is the recipient of the most coveted civil award Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.

The News: You interact frequently with youth, particularly, students. How do you find reaction of today’s youth to terrorist attacks on educational institutions? 

Syed Abidi: Recently I had an opportunity of meeting few young children and having counselled them. I realised how deeply they stand involved in the daily debate on terrorist attacks, threat of a terrorist attack, abrupt closure of schools, increased and enhanced security, armed guards, barbed wires and barricades was all that they had in mind while discussing their future prospective and career opportunities. How would we expect from our youth to deliver under these circumstances where they are exposed to such level of anxiety and stress. We can only appreciate the young ones that continue to study and go to school in the shadows of terror threats every morning.

The News: What should be done to address the issue related to psychological impact of this threat on students and children?

Syed Abidi: It is now very important for schools and government to understand the significance of abrupt closures of schools due to terror threats on frequent intervals interrupting the study pattern. The schools need to hire services of professional counsellors, psychologists and even pediatricians to support and help children to overcome these stresses and recover from the state of anxiety. 

Intensive research has revealed that psychological impact on students and children following the 9/11 attacks in the United States, children that were found to be at risk, resulted in experiencing mental health difficulties or suffer depression after a disaster or act of terrorism. They including those who may not have been a victim of a terrorist attack or have actually have witnessed the event, those who lose loved ones as a result or even those who merely live in the affected community or watch coverage of the event on television. 

The News: What do you think is the role of media in this emerging situation?

Syed Abidi: The media will have to become more responsible though it does not seem to be true of what we see on daily basis. Although terrorism, war and disaster mental health overlaps terrorism presents unparallel challenges with regard to national preparedness and response capacity. There are three main and salient features that one cannot ignore: 1). they induce a societal atmosphere of extreme danger and insecurity; 2.) inflict horrific personal harm and destruction and 3). Undermine the implicit social contract between citizens and the states protective power.

A comprehensive child and adolescent mental health framework must include concentration of these features. Proper interventions and counselling techniques need to be evolved to protect children from developing what we call the phenomenon of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is a condition that develops in response to witnessing or experiencing threatening or harmful event elicits fear, helplessness or horror, which may include watching of such incidents on media or listening to views and gossips about such acts. If proper professional counselling and necessary support is not provided on regular basis may lead to reduce the inherent resilience of children and adolescent which will have a direct impact on the learning outcomes and may also have negative impact on their growth. The factors that need to be looked at in helping children coping and move towards positive adjustments following a terrorist threat include strong social support from government, school management, teachers, communities and families. 

The News: What do you think the government should do on immediate basis to address this challenge related to psychological effects of terror threat on youth?

Syed Abidi: At government level, I suggest formation of a task force which can provide training to teachers in understanding the psychological issues that young children may face leading to distance and anxiety. Training workshops and seminars by professionals such as counsellors, psychologists and pediatricians to train them in helping children coping with this situation. The parents on the other hand have now an increased responsibility to monitor their young children going to school, try to keep them away from watching scenes of violence and terrorism or to discuss these incidents in their presence. Help from specialists can be taken if necessary as this is an important area in the development and growth of their children.