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All of us complain about the education system in the country and say we want things to change but so we see enough of that sentiment in pop culture?

Addressing that issue, musical campaign Gao Suno Badlo released ‘Taleem Ki Chutti,’ a satirical song about the current education system.

Bearing semblance to Begherat Brigade’s ‘Dhinak Dhinak’ in composition, 'Taleem Ki Chutti' has been sung by Muhammad Umair Ahmad and is produced under the social platform of GSB, which is a joint venture of AAWAZ and Mishermayl.

Set in an abandoned school building, the song starts off with three children heading to school dressed up as a parrot, a sheep and a donkey. Speaking to Dawn.com, Ali Aftab Saeed, who is heading the campaign, explained the significance of the anthropomorphism in the video:

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“Those children represent the three groups of students being produced in schools: the donkey represents those who work very hard without questioning or absorbing anything, the sheep stands for those who do not develop critical approaches and follow the herd and the parrot stands for those who get educated by rote learning and repeat whatever is taught to them.”

Parents standing with their child disguised as a donkey. — screengrab from the video

The lyrics written by Salman Haider are hard-hitting as they bring to light the issues of ghost schools and teachers, the regression in the syllabus design as well as the pressure on children to pursue science instead of arts for a successful career.

Dilapidated condition of a school window in Kasur. — screengrab from the video

“The location for the video is an actual school in Green Kot in Kasur and its dilapidated condition speaks volumes about the plight of education. It has been more than 60 years but we are still standing nowhere with respect to progress and advancement,” lamented Ali.

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Commenting on a part in the video, in which elders celebrate winning a game of tug of war against children, Ali said that it symbolises the role of different people including politicians, teachers and parents in shaping the minds of children:

Elders win the tug of war competition with children. — screengrab from the video

“It shows the irony that elders are competing with children and are jubilant after defeating them.”

Ali further pointed out that the lyrics highlight the centuries old debate of science versus art, in which the latter is considered as futile with respect to its usefulness in real life:

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“We grow up with the narrative that only science has better prospects, whereas there are countless examples of those who pursue arts and make a name for themselves. This commercialisation of education where students are forced to study in order to earn money results in rusted creative and critical abilities.”

"Children who are fortunate enough to go to schools, go there ceremoniously to spend those eight hours in some way or the other and the system is such that they are least bothered about learning and frankly one can't blame them," he added.