in Education, Interview

In Conversation with Mr. Toqeer ul Islam – Principal Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi

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Pakistan Scouts Cadet College is located on Mansehra – Balakot Road, at a picturesque lush green spot in Batrasi hills at a distance of 16 KM from Mansehra City, the institution offers a clean and healthy environment close to nature, The area bounds in numerous natural springs of pure limpid water and pine forest.

It is a fully residential institution, functions on public school system and follows the courses of study prescribed by the Ministry of Education, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Abbottabad for Pakistani scheme of studies and Cambridge for O’ Level.

Owing to its history Pakistan Scouts Cadet College inherits some unique scouting traditions that will always from an important part of its ethos, Efforts are made to infuse in scout cadets the “Scouting Spirit”. They are required to put on Scout Uniform during all Scout activities and receive training for community service and Scout skill through Scout badge system. In order to widen their mental horizon, they are offered ample opportunities of exposure and participation in important Scout events within the country and abroad, such as Moots, Jamborees and Youth Forums. This institution with a strong base on scouting adventure training and outdoor activities is the first of its kind in the whole world.

Q: First of all, Please tell us about the history and legacy of Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi.

A: Thank you for giving me this opportunity, first of all, the Cadet College Batrasi was founded in 1964 by Boys Scouts Association as a Scout School foundation, however, as a result of the 1965 war, the funds were reallocated towards the war. As a result of having no funds, the project was stopped there. Later on during the Bosnian War of 1992, as the Bosnian refugees were offered a refuge by the Government of Pakistan, this school was offered as the place of refuge since this area had the weather conditions similar to Bosnia. However, after the construction of the hostels, the ambassadors were invited to visit them, but they did not seem interested in them.

As this was a project of Boys Scout Association, between 1993-94, our ex-Chief Commissioner PBSA, Pervaiz Ali Shah, who passed away recently, was a senior minister of the Sindh government back then; he took the approval Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and by 1995 a formal approval was given. By 1996 the college was established and finally on May 1996 its opening was conducted by the then Prime Minister herself. The college has been in working condition since 1996 and in 1999 the first batch appeared for matric. They delivered extraordinary results in Abbottabad Board, as back then only 50 students appeared, out of which 14 to 15 positions were secured by our students in the list of top twenty scorers. And ever since, we have improved our record even more, with our students scoring around 17 out of top 20 Positions in the Abbottabad Board more than three times.

This is the brief history of the institution, later on in 2011, we started our journey towards O-levels, inducted a pioneer batch. Gradually our teachers got trained with passage of time and today the O-levels department has also progressed since then. As in our recent Annual Exam of Cambridge, we had 13 A* and 21 A Grades, in which 24-25 students appeared.

Later on in 2020, we took a further step by introducing A-Levels. And recently the A-level results of our students have also been announced, in which our students took A grades, A* and B grades, which I believe is the fruit of the day and night hard work of my faculty members and my students. Additionally, those students of ours who passed out have been successful in scoring jobs in every field of life, from engineering to medical field, banking, army and the civil services.

 

Q: What distinguishes Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi from the rest of the Cadet Colleges?

A. Every Cadet College is different from another, some of them are official, they can either be provincial or military, and others are private. However, Cadet College Batrasi, is a property of Pakistan Boys Scouts Association. It hosts an international level scouting camp where scouts from foreign countries would come for their trainings during the summer season. Our patronage is the Pakistan Boys Scout Association. Additionally, what makes this college unique is that it is the only Scouts Cadet College of the world. This is indeed very honorable for us that we were able to do introduce an institution that even the education systems of the developed countries were not able to do.

 

Q: Alongside curricular activities, what kind of extra-curricular activities are Batrasians engaged in?

A: There are a few things that make this cadet college unique from the rest of the Cadet Colleges. Firstly, we have a school linkage program under the umbrella of the British Council, since 2003, alongside linkage program with reciprocal visits. Since 2006, exchange programs have been conducted towards the UK by our students and teachers alike and vice versa. Furthermore, since 2010 we also introduced another project of teaching Chinese and Arabic language in our college. We have hired a special teacher who is affiliated with the Confucius Institute, Islamabad. Additionally, around 15 of our students out of 100 to 150 students from all across Pakistan go to China for summer camps.

Last year, the Chinese test of YCT, which is made in China and sent here, and the test was conducted by the faculty members of Confucius Institute, out of hundred positions more than 30 positions were won by our students. Other than that, whenever a Scouting activity is taken place anywhere around the world, our students get also get a chance to participate in it.

 

Q: Being affiliated with PBSA, what kind of Scouting activities do Batrasians take part in?

A: In terms of the scouting activities on December, sixteen of our students went to Karachi and participated in the Jamboree, where the Chief Minister of Sindh during the closing ceremony appreciated the Batrasi for their performance. Additionally, our students take the opportunity to participate on any scouting activity on national and international levels.

 

Q.You have served as the Vice-Principal for a significant period of time; while recently you were promoted as the Principal. In view of these responsibilities, what is your vision?

A: I believe in teamwork; we have a total of forty four teachers, around two hundred and fifty other staff members, and we believe we are from one of the few well renowned institutions in Pakistan, with massive achievements done by our college. If we talk about sports for example, a couple of years ago, there was a sport gala in Cadet College Petaro, in which the Military College Jhelum, PAF College Sargodha and Cadet College Petaro, alongside us participated. Each college under a separate administration of the arm wing; the army, air force and the navy respectively. Out of four games, we got two winning positions, one in running and third position in the last game. They were trained by military personnel with better facilities than us. We can say this with pride; Cadet College Batrasi is nothing less than any other Cadet College.

 

Q: What sports and games are available at Cadet College Batrasi for Batrasians?

A: In Cadet College Batrasi we have all sorts of games from cricket to hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis, gym and horse riding, we have everything, like I mentioned before, we went to Petaro, and defeated them on their own fields. We have ground available for every game; our basketball court is of international level.

 

Q: During your tenure, what initiatives have you taken in order to boost the institution?

A: As mentioned, this college was founded in 1996, and there was no extension of the college premises until 2021. As of right now we have recently acquired an area of 40 Kanal (217800 sq.ft), with the courtesy of DC Mansehra, adjacent to the college. It would be used for the activities of our students, which includes projects such as family accommodations, among many others things. We purchased this land for an amount of Rs. 7.5-8 Crore Rupees.

In addition, for the first time in 25 years for the sake of transparency, we have decided to make the entry test public on our website and social media platforms once the result have been announced, so people may have clarity with regards to the performance of their children. As Joint Services Parade takes place on 23rd March, we have decided that our boys will also contribute.

Furthermore, previously where we spend something in a place, we now try to spend half the amount that previously used to spend. This has happened for the first time in history of our institution that we were able to acquire extra land worth Rs. 7.5 Crore. Approval has also been taken by us for the projects worth Rs. 55 Crore from the Government of Pakistan, while still waiting for the financial allocation. The aim is to make a separate department for O/A-level students which will include everything from mess to auditorium, labs, hostels, and everything in between. We are also making twenty quarters where the family can stay. We have also reduced the usages of cars, with the addition of computerizing the routines of our teachers and hostels alike.

All of these achievements are only possible because we are working together. In addition, this is also the first time since this college inaugurated that in case of emergency such as injury, disability or death of an officer of rank 16 and below, we give a salary of 1 year to their family, something which never happened in the past of this institution. And for those officers who are in the ranks of 17 and above, 6 months of advance salary would be given as compensation. We have started to work for the welfare of our employees and their families.

The land that we purchased as mentioned before is a very big landmark achievement for us. Other than that, we have done a rover moot, which has happened for the first time in Pakistan since last 15-16 years, in which all the scouting teams were gathered. In addition, our students have performed very well in matriculation and O/A-level exams, however on top of all of this, there are no more groupings in the College and everyone is now on the same page.

 

Q: Often times  a new student wants to take admission at Cadet College Batrasi, they have queries with regards to their mess, hostels, etc. Can you  briefly elaborate on that as well?

A: In terms of our mess, we feed our students three times a day with fresh hygenic meals. We have a total of 850 students and the menu is decided by students themselves. We also understand the health requirements of the students based upon their ages. As we have students between the ages of 12 to 19, we keep their health requirements on top priority and once the college recommences we also have plans to give 250 grams of fresh milk to each student per day.

In hygienic terms, we have no compromises, and we have a record of positive feedback from those students who visit us from other colleges regarding various events. We also have a plan of demolishing one of our old hostel, the Khyber House and rebuild it, the request has been given and we are waiting for their approval.

 

Q: As you know the world is dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic. What kind of impact did it have on the College, and what initiatives have been taken by the College to tackle these issues, while maintaining the regular activities?

A: When the first wave of COVID emerged, we vaccinated all of our employees, following which all Scout Cadets were also vaccinated. As of right now, due to orders by the local government, the winter break has been extended. Lastly, our hygienic conditions are on top priority, among other COVID Protocols such as social distancing, sanitizing at every place and to keep our students masked everywhere except for the mess and playing ground. Therefore, our response to COVID is a mix of education, awareness and prevention.

 

Q: When one talks about the location, assumption is not wrong to say it is one of the most beautiful cadet colleges. How do you see this?

A: If we talk about the location, I would say it is one of the most worth seeing colleges. If you look with regards to the atmosphere, it has no extreme season, the winters are not bitter cold and summers are not extremely hot. It has a suitable atmosphere all year round. The area is very green with magnificent sceneries to view. Our visitors really enjoyed visiting the college, and really wish to visit it again. And compared to other Cadet Colleges, where the weather can be extreme depending upon the season, one may not have such issues in this cadet college. Our staff has maintained the college very well, whenever one comes for a visit, 24/7, they will always see it maintained.

 

Q: Your current administration has taken a very positive step of conducting the first ever Grand Batrasian Reunion, which is a testament of your hardwork and dedication towards the college. How do you view this event and do you have plans to conduct such events in the future as well?

A: I am one of the founding members of this college, the first ever Scout Cadet was SC#1 Tanveer Laghari who was also a student of mine, and today we have reached somewhere like 4800 Scout Cadets. It was always my wish to host such an event, and whenever we met our old students, they would always ask about hosting a reunion. Hence, when I got the chance after talking to my team, I decided to make this reunion a reality. We published the video messages of all of our previous teachers and administrative staff alike alongside ex-commander officers of the students. Around 300 of our passed out students participated in the reunion and really appreciated our work. I can only pray for the success of all the Batrasians.

We also have an aim of making an alumni directory, where all the students from the first batch of SC#1 till this day could gather together, share their experiences with both the current and ex-Batrasians and offer them with the new opportunities on market, and be able to help out one another.

Q: Being an ex-Batrasian myself, I feel much honored by this, and it will not be wrong to say Cadet College Batrasi in a very short period of time has been able to do some major achievements. Five to ten years from now, where do you see Batrasi in the future?

A: Our prime focus is on educational and co-curricular activities. My team and I have a focus on bringing our students towards these goals; we aim to connect our current Batrasians with our Ex-Batrasians and do efforts at career counselling so that they may plan about their careers in advance. The problem with students is they start to think about their career not before their graduation as they have no career counseling; it is my wish and my aim to be able to connect my students with especially those ex-Batrasians who have reached the top of any field, so that they may be able to motivate and guide the students in the ease of selecting their future career.

I can tell you the achievement of one of my ex-student, Col. Abbas Gilani, who is a DS at the US Military Academy, an honor which has never been given to any other military officer before. And even if we talk about the remaining students, they too have gone to very honorable fields. Our aim is not just to continue this initiation, but also to bring more achievements in the coming future.

 

Q: For those parents who want to admit their children to Cadet College Batrasi, or those potential students who would be reading this interview, would there be any special message you would like to give them?

A: I have taken interviews all across Pakistan; the candidates who applied this time around broke the record of past 25 years. This shows parents are relying upon us, students in massive number have given their entry tests, and as I took the interview, majority of the students I came across were those who have either brothers or cousins of the previous students of this college, this shows their trust upon us. Our target is to give as much projection about our college as possible, and my message to the audience would be that Cadet College Batrasi would be the scope builder of your children, and we will try our best that once your children are the graduates of Batrasi, they have the best future waiting ahead of them. And for that, my vision is strictly for merit and it is my personal challenge to ever fall for anyone’s pressure on our merit system.

Mainly our intake is for the 7th class and O-Levels. We announce it on October every year, and start the process by October/November, and by the first or second week of December we take the entry test. By January we take their interviews, and finally the class commences from April. So for the leftover seats in 8th class or in other class, we conduct them by February, and if there is an available seat, then we take their entry test by the first or second week of March. As for the 1st Year and A-levels admissions, they are taken right after the matric board exams. However, as a result of corona, the timings have changed. Right now, the entry tests would be taken soon after matric exams.

 

Q: The network of Ex-Batrasians is spread all across the world, and they are excelling in their respective fields of work. What message would you like to give to the Batrasians across the globe?

A: My only message would be to remain connected with the institution and your junior Batrasians, and if any Batrasian needs any sort of alleviation, whether that is morally, financially, or whatever it might be, do contribute for them as well.

In our recent reunion we made a new objective and POR, one of them is that the Batrasians are able to announce some sort of a scholarships for those current students of ours who are facing financial strains, and may not be able to continue their education as a result. Our Batrasians have also shown interests in some of our other projects as well, and we would request to do contribute in them as well.

With the ex and current Batrasians on the same page, I am sure there is no goal that we can’t achieve and no field we can not excel in. I am proud of all the Batrasian family and convey my deepest appreciation, support and best wishes for their endeavors.

 

About the Interviewer:

Mr. Saadain Gardezi is Editor & Director Research at Global Affairs International Magazine. He is a graduate in the field of Strategic Studies from National Defence University Islamabad; and an Ex-Batrasian Scout Cadet. He can be reached at saadain@globalaffairs.com.pk

 

“It is a moment of pride for me to be able to conduct this interview at my Alma Matter, Eight years down the line, since I was awarded a Gold Medal at the same institution. PSCCB has played a major role in my evolution as a person. The association with the institution is both nostalgic and euphoric – A wholesome evergreen feeling that words can’t do justice with.”

Saadain Gardezi

Scout Cadet # 2215

(2011 – 2013)

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Saadain Gardezi

Written by Saadain Gardezi

Saadain Gardezi is an Editor at Global Affairs. He is a graduate in the field of Strategic Studies, from National Defence University Islamabad. He tweets at @saadain.gardezi & can be reached at saadain@globalaffairs.com.pk

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