HDF Village Education Program

The Human Development Foundation (HDF) has sponsored an education program that is underway in 48 large and small villages of Tando Muhammad Khan Council. Its base camp is in Shamsabad, some 225 kilometers from Karachi.

The project is jointly run by HDF and the local development organization from each village. The program is aimed at providing free primary education to the children of these villages.

"We have adopted a very simple procedure for launching an education project and setting up a school in a village," said Mr Aqeel Abro, the project coordinator.

"We simply ask the residents of each village to construct one or two small classrooms and the rest of the cost, including books and furniture, will be carried by HDF," he said.

Once a school is functional, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) is responsible for monitoring its educational affairs. Any expansion of classrooms or of the building is proposed to HDF by the village on the recommendation of the PTA.

The PTA members usually visit the school or schools within their jurisdiction twice a week. They meet teachers and students and ask for their input on how to improve the school. Monitoring of students' educational performance is also the responsibility of the PTA.

"The PTA approves the sanctioning of books and furniture for a school," Mr Abro said. He added, "our field teams often pay visits to these schools however we do not interfere in their matters unless the local DO (development organization) seeks our help."

Currently, eight schools are in operation in eight villages with a total enrolment of 268.Of the eight schools, five are Sindhi medium and three are Urdu medium.

Currently, four schools are under construction and will be completed within a month. A comprehensive syllabus has been prepared for the students and they are expected to pass five classes in three years. The syllabus has been approved by the Sindh Text Book Board.

Students learn Sindhi, English, Islamiat, Urdu and Mathematics. Teachers must have at least a matriculation certificate in order to teach at these schools.

- Aamir Latif