Theme: “Skills for the Future: A Youth-Led Vision for the 21st Century”.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a dynamic and inspiring educational session took place at Ziauddin School and College, under the leadership of the school’s Principal, Ms. Faryial Hussain. The event was part of the ongoing Youth-Led Dialogue series, focused on empowering students to reflect on the skills required for the 21st century. The session was hosted and led by Ms. Sumra Peeran, with key facilitation by Ms. Urwah from Islamabad and Ms. Zehra, Head of the Society for Access to Quality Education (SAQE).
The visiting delegation from BVS Parsi High School consisted of the following participating students from Grade 9-D:
1. Daniyal Adnan
2. Syed Wahjee Mohsin Naqvi
3. Ebadullah Arshad
4. Mirza Abdullah Baig
5. Shaheer Khan
They were accompanied by Mr. Aazar Fredrick Wilson, who supported and guided the students throughout the experience.
The day began with introductions and an interactive birth-month seating activity, designed to encourage students to step outside of their social comfort zones. Following that, seating was rearranged so that no two students from the same school sat together, promoting cross-institutional bonding. Participants were then grouped into A, B, C, and D teams, followed by a hands-on activity to reset the classroom ambiance—a team-building task that encouraged cooperation and shared responsibility.
After a refreshment break, Ms. Urwah led a deeply reflective session on mental health, stress, and the effects of social media, noting how digital challenges have outpaced parental understanding. She acknowledged that even educators are not immune to bullying, which helped students relate and open up more comfortably.
Ms. Zehra, a seasoned educator with 29 years of experience, discussed the shift in education from traditional methods to AI and digital tools. She posed key questions like, “How can we support ourselves in this fast-changing world?”—empowering students to take charge of their learning journeys.
A significant portion of the session was dedicated to student self-introductions, where each participant shared their name, school, and a personal skill or talent:
Daniyal Adnan and Wahjee shared their interest in public speaking. Ms. Urwah responded by highlighting available platforms for student speakers. She has promised to include capable students in their group where public speakers are encouraged.
Shaheer Khan showcased his talents in chess and speaking German.
Ebadullah Arshad described his strength in video editing.
Mirza Abdullah Baig impressed the group with his skills in public speaking and multilingualism.
Students were also given space to share their life experiences—moments of success, struggle, and growth. Thought-provoking questions were raised:
“Why can’t we have one standardized board in Pakistan?”
“How many times have you felt ignored in class?”
This led to a broader conversation on the education system, including comparisons between AKU and Cambridge (CAIE) boards. Students like Daniyal and Shaheer reflected on their academic journeys, the role of parental and teacher support, and the importance of cognitive development.
In a visionary segment, students such as Mirza, Daniyal, Shaheer, Wahjee, and Ebadullah offered ideas for the future of education, calling for:
Integration of AI and technology
Innovative teaching methods
A unified curriculum
Safe and inclusive learning spaces
The day concluded with a photo session featuring all facilitators and organizers, capturing the warmth and impact of the day. A key highlight was the presence of Mrs. Kermin Parakh, whose mentorship and experience deeply enriched the session for students and educators alike.
Special thanks to our Principal Mrs. Mehernaz Bharucha and our Heads Mrs. Diana Randeria and Mrs. Sofia Nasir Ali for encouraging the BVS Delegation and also for providing them a platform to represent the School.
This visit proved to be not just a learning opportunity, but a transformative experience that empowered students to express, engage, and envision a better future through dialogue, empathy, and education.
The students also received appreciation certificates.
Towards that best light