There was a time when Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Bandipora, was not just a school—it was an institution of pride, a name associated with quality education, disciplined teachers, and ambitious students. Parents longed to admit their daughters here, knowing the value that came with its name. But somewhere along the way, the shine began to fade. The once-respected institution slowly began slipping into the shadows of neglect and disorder. With no regular principal, weak administration, and growing indiscipline, the school began to lose its identity. Despite having a strength of over 1200 students, it was common to see barely 300 students present on any given day, that too only a few days a week. The school’s central location in the main market—once considered a blessing—turned into a curse, as students started misusing their freedom, skipping classes to loiter in markets and parks. Dummy admissions added to the chaos, and what was once a temple of learning started becoming a safe space for excuses and escapism. But then came a turning point, a name that breathed discipline into disorder—Principal Jawaid Ahmad Magray. Since the day he assumed charge as the head of the institution, the wind has changed direction. With a vision rooted in values and action backed by courage, Mr. Magray began restoring the lost dignity of this great institution. He didn’t come to please anyone—he came to fix what was broken. He didn’t offer sweet words—he demanded accountability. To him, leadership meant serving the students, protecting the sanctity of the classroom, and holding both teachers and students to the highest standards. He made punctuality a non-negotiable rule—staff and students alike had to show up on time, not because of fear, but because of respect for education. During the admission season, he did not entertain favors or nepotism; instead, he prioritized local students from the catchment area, ensuring every deserving child got a chance. Some self-serving individuals tried to question his decisions, but society stood by him. The people could see his honesty, his dedication, and most importantly, his impact. And while it is easy to criticize from the outside, only those who work sincerely become targets of false narratives. As Allah says in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:11-12), “And when it is said to them, ‘Do not cause corruption on the earth,’ they say, ‘We are only reformers.’ Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive it not.” Those who feared discipline, those who benefited from disorder, started whispering lies and manipulating media channels with fabricated information claiming that vocational stream students were being denied access to the ICT Lab. Mr. Magray issued a firm and factual rebuttal, calling the report not just misleading but also damaging to the reputation of the school. He clarified that the ICT Lab is shared by all departments—Science, Arts, Commerce, and Vocational—and is governed by a fair rotational schedule. Any issues are resolved by mutual coordination among staff. Since March this year, several ICT-based sessions have already been conducted for vocational students, with trainers provided all the necessary support. The fact is, those who are disturbed by honesty often seek to defame it. Just as rust eats away iron from within, jealousy and fear of reform eat away the hearts of those who cannot stand principled leadership. He is strict because he refuses to compromise on what matters. His tone may be tough, but his mission is pure. As the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ says, “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others” (Daraqutni). Mr. Magray has made it his purpose to benefit the future of hundreds of young girls by bringing back seriousness, safety, and sincerity into the school environment. He doesn’t crave popularity. He doesn’t bow to pressure. He understands that true leadership is lonely, and reform often comes at a personal cost. In today’s time, when many leaders are content with hollow speeches and photo ops, Mr. Magray chooses action over applause.
“Let us not be silent when truth is attacked or stand neutral when honesty is punished. This institution- Government Girls Higher Secondary School Bandipora, once a symbol of quality, is showing signs of greatness due to hard decisions, sleepless nights, and one man’s refusal to give up. To ensure a bright future, we must protect those lighting the path”.
In a society where teachers are often demotivated and students directionless, he has dared to draw boundaries, restore routines, and demand real work. Yes, he is being criticized—but as the saying goes, “Criticism rains only on rooftops that are strong enough to hold the weight.” A man with nothing of value inside is seldom attacked. Mr. Magray’s strength lies in the fact that he is not afraid to offend the wrong people for the right reasons. He knows the difference between kindness and compromise. He chooses the long road of transformation over the easy road of appeasement. The community, especially the parents, must now rise in support. It is not enough to send children to school—we must ask: Are they attending classes? Are they learning or loitering? Parents must reclaim their role in their children’s moral and educational lives. The blame cannot always be pushed onto the system. Allah says in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Ra’d 13:11), “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” If we want our daughters to succeed, we must build homes and schools that stand on the foundation of truth and discipline. And we must support leaders like Mr. Magray, not isolate them. In today’s decaying moral climate, schools are not just centers of academic instruction—they are sanctuaries against social disease. With growing threats like drug addiction, online distraction, and rising disobedience among youth, the role of the school principal has become more critical than ever. Girls bunking classes, wandering in parks, and losing focus was becoming a common story at GGHSS Bandipora. But now, there’s a spark of revival. The corridors echo with responsibility. Teachers arrive on time. Students feel the change. There is a renewed sense of purpose. This is not magic—it is management. Not politics, but principle. Mr. Magray’s leadership reminds us of the true purpose of education—not just to inform minds but to form characters. He reminds us that saying “no” to laziness, dishonesty, and mediocrity is not oppression—it is love in its most responsible form. His actions whisper what his words don’t shout: That he sees every girl in the school as his responsibility, every teacher as a part of a mission, and every corner of the institution as sacred ground. There will always be those who resist change—those who benefited from the earlier mess, those who enjoyed the absence of rules, and those who fear accountability. But history is never written by cowards. It is shaped by people like Mr. Jawaid Ahmad Magray, who walk the path of reform with lonely dignity and quiet power. It is our duty, as a society, as educators, and as parents, to not let his courage go unsupported. Let us not be silent when truth is under attack. Let us not stand neutral when honesty is being punished. This institution Government Girls Higher Secondary School Bandipora , once a symbol of quality, is once again showing signs of greatness—and that is no accident. It is the fruit of hard decisions, sleepless nights, and one man’s refusal to give up. If we want our future to be bright, we must protect those who are lighting the path. For indeed, as the Prophet (SAW) said, “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.” Mr. Magray is fulfilling his duty as a shepherd of this school. The least we can do is ensure he is not left to defend it alone.
(The author a teacher by profession is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr Aftab Jan
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