Nazeer Foundation
Archive for September, 2007
Bachu Goth School Nearly Complete; Classes Start
Three of the planned six classrooms have been completely constructed for the new school in Bachu Goth, a village near Kathore.
The costs of the project have been kept low by training villagers in construction. They were taught how to lay the foundation, make bricks, and build the structure that will teach the young children of their community.
Three teachers trained by Nazeer Foundation began employment at the newly built school. An army veteran serves as a physical education instructor. His role is to instill a sense of discipline in the otherwise rural area that was not accustomed to such practices. The daily routine includes calisthenics as well as classes in soccer and cricket.
Villagers are hard at work building a school for their own children
Fashion design comes to Kathore
In continuing with the Foundation’s goal of teaching real-world skills, September 1st saw the beginning of a dress-making class at the KKJ Government Higher Secondary School at Kathore. The three-month program is divided into three phases, each three months long. In the first month, students learn designing, cutting and sewing either gents’ or ladies’ clothing. In the second month the students switch to the other gender’s clothing, and the third month completes training by offering finishing touches and other designing and sewing essentials. The program began with the selection of two groups of ten eager students, comprising of 9th and 10th grade students. Sewing machines, furniture and requisite training materials were purchased to provide the students with necessary equipment and supplies. This program is taught by a professional tailor from the city of Karachi.
This training class helped to inculcate a sense of self-belief in the students towards a more proactive role in society. It allows them to learn a new skill they can turn into a potential business. Whereas earlier such professions were uncommon for the members of this community, the tailoring course has paved the way for further such programs where the communities can benefit on both a personal and social level.
Sewing machines for class in Kathore
Needs Assessment: Kathore School
The following needs assessment was completed a few months ago before Nazeer Foundation undertook the project of renovating, refurnishing and managing a school in Kathore, Sindh, Pakistan.
Physical Requirements
The current physical conditions of the Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Kathore, District Karachi are very undesirable. There is no drinking water facility, toilets are locked because they are non-functional and thus the sanitary conditions are questionable. Students ease themselves near the boundary walls of the school and therefore creating environmental and health hazards.
It seems that no maintenance has been carried out since the school came into being. Roofs are leaking doors and windows are broken, most of the desks are broken, and so on.
The following needs were assessed for the Kathore School. The status of each task is indicated.
| New Paint (white wash) of the old Building | Completed |
| Electrical work & Fans of the old Building | Completed |
| Repair work of the old Building including the toilets | Completed |
| Provision of water facility | |
| Drilling of a Tube well (Old well is renovated) | Completed |
| Installation of Summer Pump | Completed |
| Supply of water in the overhead tank | Started |
| Supply of city water | Completed |
| Arrangement of cold drinking water | Completed |
| Plantation in the School Area | Under review |
| Setup of Computer Laboratory | In progress |
| Furniture | Completed |
| Purchase of 10 Computers | Completed |
| Purchase of Printers | In Progress |
| Installation of air conditioner | Under Review |
| Setup of the Library facility. | In Progress |
| Facility of the uniform for all the school students | Completed |
| Purchase of a Van to facilitate transportation of teachers from Karachi (Sohrab Goth) to school. | Completed |
Health Requirements.
Arrangement of a medical Practitioner for checkup and treatment of school students.
Status: Has been made Available by Nazeer Foundation.
Academic Requirements
| Formation of the following committees/teams: | |
| Think tank of school teachers | Completed. |
| Alumni students association. | Completed |
| A committee of the interested elite of the town. | Completed |
| Parent teachers committee. | To be determined |
| A team of teachers that will manage extra curricular activities. | To be determined |
| Students team for curricula and co-curricular activities | To be determined |
| Organization of events like Carnival (Mela) to create interest in the students, teachers and the community. | |
| Provide training facility for all the teachers using state of the art methods by arranging workshops and discussion groups. | |
| Provide refresher courses for the teachers. | |
| Establishment of a library for the teachers and the students. | |
| Establishment of a computer facility for the students and the teachers. | |
| Arrangement of school teachers visits to some renowned schools in Karachi and around. | |
| Revitalization of School Management Committee. | |
| Arrangement of adult education program for the benefit of the local community. | |
| Motivational discussions by some learned visitors. | |
| Traditional teaching methods are being used, no indication whether he teachers prepare or plan their lessons, daily diaries are not maintained. Need to improve teaching methods and regular maintenance of diaries. | |
| Arrangement of a Cafeteria in the school premises. | |
| Low student and teacher attendance due to low quality of education, although the teaching staff is highly qualified and highly paid but lacks in motivation. Need to improve this area very much. | |
| Need to provide a happy, caring and stimulating environment where students and teachers must recognize and achieve their fullest potential, so that they can make their best contribution to the community and the society. | |
The Kathore school is in catastrophic disrepair. This is a view of the current library. Notice no books.