Karachi A visit to Bhit Islands School on Monday morning was truly a refreshing experience. The event was the inauguration of a computer lab that had been donated by the ICI to the three-storey neat and clean school where children from the fisherfolk community are studying with dreams in their sparkling eyes.
A Marine Security Agency “sea ambulance” took us to the Bhit Islands School.
The school was inaugurated by Defence Minister Lt General (retired) Asim Yasin Malik on December 27, 2012 and is now operational. The top floor of the school has been built by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum to set up a laboratory there and run science classes.
“These kids have something God-gifted,” said Naveed Ahmed, the enthusiastic principal of the school. “It’s swimming! I request the Pakistan Navy to fix a quota for these children after they finish school so that they are gainfully employed,” Ahmed said.
“I find these children extraordinarily intelligent and hope they will get jobs in government departments and in the private sector after they leave,” said Lt Commander Syed Muhammad Asim.
CSR Coordinator and Public Relations Manager ICI Abdul Ghani said 10 or 15 years ago, fishermen weren’t ready to send their daughters to schools.
“Today almost all of them are willing to do so. Change won’t occur in our society unless all of our kids are educated and ICI is ready to lend a helping hand,” he said “Now working women are studying in Adult Literacy Centre and proudly say they can write their names.”
Bhit Island is a part of cluster of four islands situated at a very close distance with each other in the coastal area of Karachi. These are Baba Island, Bhit Island, Salehabad and Shamspir. The population of Bhit and Baba Islands is around 25,000.
The current strength of the school is about 500 students. It is a registered school for primary and secondary level classes. The strength of teaching staff is 17 with three support staff. Science classes would commence on the third floor from the next academic session.
The first batch of science group would appear this year in annual examinations.
“The facility will also be used as skill development centre in the evening for the community of Bhit Island and Baba Island,” said Ghani.
Taahira Ayoob, a student of journalism based in Singapore also visiting the school, persuaded the children to sing. A shy student went on to sing the national anthem.
No comments:
Post a Comment