Pakistan Reading Project running a mobile bus library programme for the last two years. PHOTO: FILE
USAID-funded $15m project terminated
After the transfer agreement was signed under Pakistan Reading Project, USAID’s Office Director for Education Dr Christopher Steel formally presented the bus keys to Minister of State for CADD Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, said a statement issued here. The bus library project funded by USAID has helped not only cultivate love of learning among the students but also created healthy environment in schools, Chaudhry said.
The state minister said these colourful buses had visited 338 schools and reached 65,000 children in Islamabad and Sindh.
Now, USAID handed over the buses to Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) at Islamabad Model School F-7/1.
The USAID funded Pakistan Reading Project being implemented by International Rescue Committee (IRC) is helping improve reading skills of children across Pakistan.
The mobile bus library is another step towards promoting a reading culture in Pakistan, he remarked.
USAID Pakistan Director Education Dr Christopher Steel the Pakistan Reading Project is running a mobile bus library programme in Sindh and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) from the last two years and brought reading materials directly to communities and help re-establish reading habits.
Trained librarians on board each bus will conduct story-telling sessions in each community they visit. They will also issue books for schoolchildren to take home to read, he added.
After each visit, the libraries leave behind a set of book so that children can continue to read. So far, these mobile libraries have distributed 53,479 books during these visits.
Chief of Party for USAID, Pakistan Reading Project (PRP) Naeem Sohail Butt and FDE DG Hasnat Qureshi, signed the transfer agreement of mobile bus library programme. Islamabad Model School F 7/1 Principal Shabnum Afreen presented the note of thanks.
Dr Steel said: “With these mobile libraries, we can make sure that good books are reaching children who want to read and helping them become good readers. I am happy that through today’s commitment, we are continuing this tradition of supporting Pakistan in its efforts to promote education, strengthen its education system and develop a national culture of reading.”
Ban sought on USAID activities in Pakistan
The mobile libraries will increase the availability of reading materials for children in Islamabad and surrounding areas. For the past two years, the USAID-funded Pakistan Reading Project has operated the mobile libraries, visiting 338 schools and reaching nearly 65,000 children in Islamabad and Sindh.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2017.
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