Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has withdrawn a notification recommending dance competition at schools under the UNESCO #DanceForEducation campaign.

Most of the schools and colleges especially in Islamabad are operated by FDE.

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.

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.

More about the campaign can be found here.

However, there was negative reporting in local media about the campaign. At least one news report said girls in both urban and rural were also asked to join “the sinful campaign”.

The authorities withdrew the notification on Saturday.

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