During the years of one’s youth, a time when we are vulnerable, when there is a constant struggle to reconcile ourselves with the adult world, we need someone to guide us through that period of uncertainty. Save for our parents, teachers are the ones who play the role of educator, mentor, counselor and even that of a friend all together. Those teachers have a special place in our hearts, whose guidance and advice keeps us going when our fragile egos are crushed and who challenge us, and in the process teach us the joy of learning, helping us in our careers and our accomplishments. As a teacher retires, it is a watershed event for a generation of students who associate their youth and the vibrancy and enthusiasm of that time with him/her. One such beloved teacher, mentor, counselor and friend of many is Mr. Ibrahim Khan Khalil from Gulmit, Gojal in Upper Hunza.
Ustad Ibrahim, as he is respectfully and lovingly known and called, did his Masters of Arts (MA) in Urdu from University of Karachi and during his years as a student he was a dynamic social worker and volunteer. He started his career as a teacher in Al-Azhar School, Gilgit and later joined Education Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. As an employee of the Education Department he was first posted in F.G Boys High School, Gulmit after which he was reassigned to render his services in F.G Degree College, Aliabad, Hunza. After his service for almost 9 years he was promoted to the position of ADIS for Gojal. Whilst he was serving as ADIS for Gojal, he was given additional responsibility of monitoring the schools in Hunza-Nagar as well. In his final years of service he was deputed at the Deputy Director’s Office, and for two months he was assigned with the duties of HM-DDO in F.G Boys High School Gulmit. He also worked as Coordinator for Allama Iqbal Open University in Hunza-Nagar. Ustad Ibrahim served the Government Education Department of Gilgit-Baltistan for almost 28 years before officially retiring on October 2, 2014.
Ustad Ibrahim has been a living example of the words spoken by Rita Pierson that, “Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be”. A sincere, hardworking and committed human being, Ustad Ibrahim has surely left his mark, a bright and untainted one, in the field of education. We extend our felicitations on his retirement and gratitude for his services!
