In Bari Imam, a school promises 360 disadvantaged children a brighter future

Mashal Model School offers primary education in English and Urdu.

ISLAMABAD:

There is a place in Bari Imam where 360 children from disadvantaged backgrounds are getting education free of charge. Children from all social and religious strata are welcomed at Mashal Model School, according to Zeba Hussain, the school’s director and principal. “This way we can ensure that they stay out of harm’s way.”

The school has been popular with diplomats living in the nearby diplomatic enclave. On Saturday, a Canadian delegation, led by High Commissioner Ross Hynes, visited the school.

“I came here to see the children of my community as these children are [living] near to where we diplomats live,” Hynes told The Express Tribune. He addressed the students’ assembly and said that it is an “extraordinary thing” that they come to the centre daily to study. “By studying, you can improve yourself, your families and the country.”

Hussain briefed the delegation about her 20 teachers and how they offer classes both in English and Urdu. The school’s focus is on basic education, she said.

“We bought costly Oxford University Press books for them,” she said. “We hope they may learn from the curriculum and get an opportunity to develop their minds.”

She stressed on the fact that their approach to education is fundamentally different from other schools. The school does not stress on certificates and age limits, she said. “We give opportunities to deserving children to get educated without hindrances. Education should be accessible and cheap,” she said.

Hynes donated Rs1 million for the renovation of the school. The money will be used to construct verandas and sheds.

“We are encouraging the Government of Pakistan to increase its spending on education as [an allocation of] less than two per cent of the budget is very low,” he said. Canada’s annual assistance for Pakistan’s education sector is $50 million, he added.

Vanessa Hynes, wife of the High Commissioner, said Canada’s focus is on children. “We want every day to bring something extraordinary to them.” Jason Tulk, part of the delegation, said that Canada considers education the key to development. “Our focus is on teachers’ training and basic education,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2011.