My Beloved Students - My Driving Force

"You have given me wings, sir. Because of you, I will now be able to fund my siblings' education."

These are the words of a student, whom I will call Hasan, who learned IT from me during my work with the underprivileged. This is just one of the many messages I receive every now and then. When I see my students flourishing, I only become more determined to keep working hard for them.

Throughout my decades in education, my students have been what motivates me every single moment. The challenge they face, however, is a lack of resources, be it laptops, mobile phones, or tablets. Underprivileged students, in particular, have been struggling to find the technology they need to kickstart their learning.

Identifying this problem very early in my career pushed me to join hands with NGOs, and I was fortunate enough to arrange devices for more than 200 students from underprivileged families. I made it a point to teach my students skills that would actually help them succeed, rather than merely theoretical knowledge.

My students are now actively learning. They are not only encouraging their family members to get educated but, best of all, are also able to fund that education, thanks to the skills I was able to share with them, by the grace of Allah Almighty.

Another incident that makes my students my driving force to become a better teacher was a call I received from a colleague in 2025. He informed me that a student had put my name forward for the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. I ended up as the Regional Winner for Pakistan. I was proud of the award, but the nomination touched me more than any win ever could. A student had thought of me and decided I was worth nominating. Priceless!

I don't teach only for exams. Good marks are the cherry on top. What defines success is my students succeeding in their practical lives. I make sure that with every lecture I deliver, I continue to make a difference.