By Musarrat Arif
KARACHI: The Sindh government has issued a firm directive banning the practice of presenting Ajrak and Sindhi caps as gifts in schools, signaling a broader push to curb ceremonial traditions that place undue burdens on children. In a notification circulated by the provincial authorities, schools have been explicitly instructed to discontinue the custom of giving gifts during official functions, and to end the practice of making students stand to greet guests at these events.
The move reflects growing concern over the use of students in ceremonial protocols, which the government now deems inappropriate. Officials stated that such practices not only distract from the core purpose of education but may also inadvertently place pressure on children to perform roles more suited to formal protocol officers than school-going youth.
The notification makes it clear that using children for reception duties or symbolic gift presentations is no longer acceptable. It warns of strict disciplinary action against those who defy the orders, marking a decisive shift away from traditional rituals in favor of creating a more child-focused and respectful school environment.
This development is likely to stir debate across Sindh, where the Ajrak and Sindhi cap are deeply embedded in the cultural fabric. While the government’s intention is to shield students from tokenistic roles and reinforce the primacy of learning, the challenge will be balancing cultural respect with institutional reform.
