Ministry withdraws notification of UNESCO’s ‘Dance For Education’ campaign

ISLAMABAD: After criticism from parents, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has withdrawn a notification recommending dance competition at schools under the UNESCO #DanceForEducation campaign.

The UNESCO had asked the government to issue the notification under which the administrations of FDE schools had been asked to arrange dance competitions for the students, both boys and girls, and then upload them on social media.

The notification titled “Dance for Education” was issued around a week ago on March 29. It was followed by a letter from the FDE deputy director.

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The letter read, “I am excited to invite you to join UNESCO’s #Dance for Education campaign. This initiative coincides with the release of the song “Education in the Air” by Goodwill Ambassador A’Salfo and Magic System. It aims to highlight education’s transformative power and its role in shaping a more just and sustainable world.”

The letter also advised schools to share their dance activities on social media. The campaign runs until May 25. The best submission will be featured on UNESCO’s social media platform.

However, this did not go down well with the parents of these children who termed it against the Islamic values and norms.  

The authorities withdrew the notification on Saturday.

Sources said the order was deemed against Islamic teaching and the education ministry cancelled it.