Naz Secondary School: Qaim urges Khairpur model be replicated

KHAIRPUR:

Sindh Chief Minister, Qaim Ali Shah, has urged that the model of the Government Naz Pilot Secondary School in Khairpur be replicated in the province as it has brought visible improvements to the public education system.

On a visit to the school in Khairpur on Sunday, Qaim Ali Shah appreciated the work done by the Sindh Education Reform Initiative (SERI) and the Bookgroup to improve the quality of education here.

Shah requested the Executive Director of SERI, Sami Mustafa, that given the wonderful changes he saw in Khairpur schools, SERI and the Bookgroup should look at more schools to be improved in terms of physical infrastructure, training of teachers, books, teaching methodology, computers and sports facilities.

The Sindh Education Reform Initiative (SERI) is a significant step taken by the Sindh Education Department under the Public-Private Partnership. In early 2015, in collaboration with the Bookgroup, the Education Department initiated the reform of government schools in Sindh.

In Phase 1 — the pilot project phase — three schools in Khairpur have undergone substantial and visible changes. More than 60 child-friendly and colourful books in Sindhi language have been printed and distributed to children free of cost. Training of teachers has been underway. The physical infrastructure of the schools, condition of classrooms, toilet and water supply has been improved.

New and modern facilities, state-of-the-art computer labs and library, Day Care Centre, a modern office block have been established. Sports are done across all classes, and winter and summer camps are held. At present, in these three schools more than 3,500 boys and girls are studying.

In the next phase, to start in February-March 2016, more than 20 additional schools are being taken up in Khairpur, Larkana and Sehwan. Thereafter, within a period of 2-3 years, under the SERI umbrella, more primary and secondary schools will be taken up in Sindh for providing modern education to the less-privileged children attending government schools.

In this second phase 20,000 students will benefit from the improved facilities. The focus of SERI is on girls' education, and initially to improve the quality of education at the primary level. These improved schools under SERI continue to provide high quality education completely free of cost.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2016.