Lifting Voices: Aami’s Fight for Inclusive Classrooms in Umerkot
Since gaining independence in 1947, Pakistan’s religious minorities have faced an uphill battle in securing their basic rights, including those related to everyday life.[1] Among these minorities is the Bheel caste, a sub-sect of Pakistan’s Hindu population, often referred to as “Dalits” or “untouchables”. Officially recognised as a scheduled caste under the Pakistani Constitution, the Bheels faced stark inequalities within the Hindu social hierarchy. Many chose to remain in Pakistan rather than migrate to India after partition, hoping for a life free from the discrimination they endured from upper-caste Hindus.[2]
Aami, a 45-year-old mother of five from the Bheel caste, is a powerful example of resilience and transformation. Residing in the village of Sodho Bheel in Umerkot District, Sindh, within Union Council Kharoro Syed, Aami has emerged as a beacon of hope for her marginalised community. Despite living in a region plagued by deeply entrenched social, religious, and caste-based inequalities, and enduring generational poverty, Aami’s story stands as a testament to determination and courage. For two decades, she has toiled as a daily wage earner, working in fields harvesting cotton and sugarcane, as well as engaging in kitchen gardening. Yet, her economic struggles have not dimmed her passion for social justice. Aami has become a driving force for change, advocating tirelessly for equality and the rights of her community.
In 2021, Aami took a pivotal step toward empowering her community by joining the Steering Committee established by Community World Service Asia (CWSA). This grassroots-level structure plays a vital role in overseeing and facilitating project activities, resolving community issues with available resources, and encouraging active participation in decision-making. Acting as a bridge between the community and stakeholders, the committee fosters collaboration and advocates for sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by marginalised groups.
The initiative was part of a larger project launched by CWSA to promote social inclusion, justice, and equitable access to governance structures for marginalised minority communities in Umerkot, a district in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan. Through the formation of this committee and subsequent capacity-strengthening exercises, Aami found a platform to voice her concerns and champion the rights of her community, particularly those belonging to marginalised and scheduled castes.
Aami’s unwavering belief that education is a fundamental right for every child became a cornerstone of her advocacy. Living in a village of 410 households, where 355 children aged 4 to 9 were of school-going age, Aami was deeply troubled to see 37 children not enrolled in school and another 40 who had dropped out. As a mother of five, she understood the transformative potential of education and worked tirelessly to ensure these children could access schooling, regularising their attendance and encouraging their families to prioritise learning.
Her dedication to education stems from her own experiences as a member of the Scheduled Caste. Aami witnessed firsthand the cultural and economic barriers that prevented girls from attending school, and her own education was cut short by social stereotypes and limited resources. However, rather than allowing this to hold her back, she turned her personal challenges into a source of strength. Her efforts reflect her conviction that education is the key to breaking the cycles of inequality and empowering future generations.
Although Aami never had the chance to complete her education and could not pursue education for her five children—three girls and two boys—due to a lack of facilities, her youngest son is currently studying in the 10th standard. Despite these challenges, she has become a staunch advocate for ensuring that children, particularly girls in her community, do not face the same obstacles. Her struggle for and belief in creating a brighter future for others is truly inspiring.
Aami quickly emerged as a catalyst for change, tackling the systemic issues faced by children from marginalised communities at Government Primary School Sodho Bheel, located in her village. Established in 1999, the school serves 240 students, 215 of whom belong to the Hindu minority. Despite its significance, the school suffered from poor infrastructure, a shortage of teachers, and entrenched discrimination against minority students.
Children from Scheduled Caste communities faced persistent prejudice. They were often ignored by teachers, ostracised by classmates, and denied the right to sit on benches with others—sometimes relegated to the floor. In some cases, they were pulled out of class to perform household chores, limiting their education and perpetuating social exclusion. These discriminatory practices resulted in low enrolment and left many students disengaged, denying them equal access to learning opportunities.
Recognising these challenges, Aami began attending advocacy meetings with teachers, the District Education Department, and community leaders. Her efforts revitalised the School Management Committees (SMCs), making them more effective in advocating for the needs of marginalised students. By involving teachers and SMC members in inclusive training programmes, Aami helped equip them with the skills and understanding needed to foster a supportive school environment. This initiative also ensured regular parent-teacher meetings, which had previously been hindered by a lack of community engagement.
“We equipped teachers, parents, and SMC members with the knowledge to promote inclusivity,” Aami explained. “Now, the school feels like a welcoming space for all children, offering equal opportunities for education and growth.”
Her efforts led to significant progress. Two new teachers were appointed to the school, and a girls’ school GGPS Haji Chaneser Marri, that was closed since 2021, was reopened. With 27 girls readmitted, enrolment numbers began to rise as the community, inspired by Aami’s advocacy, rallied behind the cause of education. Her efforts also resulted in 40 students who had previously dropped out of school returning to their studies.
Additionally, Community World Service Asia (CWSA) partnered with government representatives and consultants to train district-level teachers on creating inclusive environments. These training sessions addressed inclusiveness in education, discriminatory behaviours, and social exclusion, while emphasising the constitutional right to free and compulsory education for children aged five to 16.[3]
In total, 10 refresher training sessions were conducted for 250 previously trained teachers, along with 10 additional sessions for 210 newly appointed teachers. Similarly, 215 participants, including teachers and community members, benefited from SMC-focused sessions. These initiatives highlighted the importance of empathy, effective communication, and a collective commitment to fostering inclusivity in schools and society.
Through Aami’s tireless efforts and the collective action of her community, the local school has transformed into a beacon of hope for marginalised groups. What began as a small movement has grown into a powerful example of how grassroots advocacy can combat discrimination and bring about meaningful change.
“I want a future where every child in my village has access to quality education, regardless of their background or caste,” Aami shared. “I urge everyone to support inclusive classrooms and ensure no child is left behind in their pursuit of learning.”
Her unwavering belief in equality and inclusive education has laid the foundation for lasting progress. The positive changes at the school now serve as a model for other communities grappling with similar challenges. Aami’s journey proves the transformative power of community-led action and the enduring fight for the rights of society’s most vulnerable.
[1] https://minorityrights.org/reports-from-pakistan-tracing-the-challenges-facing-religious-minorities/
[2] https://ibtidahforeducation.com/the-fading-soul-of-pakistans-diversity-an-encounter-with-bheel-singing-community-from-cholistan/#:~:text=Bheels%20are%20a%20sub%2Dsect,scheduled%20caste%20under%20Pakistani%20constitution
[3] https://portal.mohr.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Civil-Political-and-Economic-Rights-Federal-The-Right-to-Free-and-Compulsory-Education-Act-2012.pdf