Completion of Supporting Private Education
Institutions Programme
The SEF recently implemented the second phase of the Supporting Private Education Institutions Programme (SPEIP), an innovative scheme of the Sindh Education Foundation under the Public Sector Development Program. SPEIP envisions transforming private schools into dynamic learning spaces. The first phase of SPEIP was implemented in 2003 and supported the institutional development and quality advancement of 300 partner schools. The second phase of the program was implemented during 2007-08 and built upon the successes of the first phase for furthering the process of institutional strengthening and quality advancement of 278 partner schools in the districts of Karachi, Hyderabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Badin, and Thatta.
Subject-based Training for Community School Teachers
Currently many of the Foundation’s target districts have difficulty hiring qualified teachers in some subject areas, most often mathematics, science and foreign languages. Improved teacher training in subject matter and teaching methodologies has therefore remained SEF’s key focus for raising the quality of instruction in the classrooms.
Science is an important subject of the elementary schools. Based on their interest of Science, children decide about their area of further education. During March 2008, a 3-day training workshop on “Introduction and Use of Science Laboratory” was arranged for teachers of Community Supported Schools Program (CSSP). The workshop was facilitated by experienced resource persons of The Learner Centered Educational Society. The methodology for the workshop was a combination of theory as well as practice. ‘Hands-on Approach’ was used to enable teachers to observe the experiments in real classroom settings.
Prior to above training a three days training session was also arranged in Sehwan in addition to science the training in Sehwan also focused on early learning. The Quality Support Officers of CSSP Sehwan developed training modules and contents.
Capacity Building for Adult Education Teachers
SEF’s Women’s Literacy & Empowerment Program (WLEP) conducted two trainings: “Capacity Building for Improving Quality and Scope of Literacy Programs” and “Engaging Adult learners: Creating an Effective Learning Environment”. Through these trainings 85 LFs and co-facilitators learnt quality improvement and classroom management, mobilization and andragogical techniques and implementation of enriched topics in the WLEP’s curriculum for adults.
Furthermore, the WLEP also organized training on the “Role of Stakeholders in Adult Literacy”. A total of 88 LFs and co-facilitators got training on topics such as: resource material development, child assessment, quality improvement and classroom management, community mobilization, monitoring, implementation, record keeping, roles & responsibilities of general body members and executive members in the organization.
In addition to these training programs, the WLEP team also undertook capacity building initiatives through provision of adult literacy resources as well as classroom support during their WLEC visits.
Educational Resource for Community Schools
SEF believes that community education without cultural expression is soulless. In an effort to benefit from indigenous culture and knowledge and to enhance the creativity and learning outcomes amongst children, the SEF’s Community Supported Schools Program introduced music education for the children.
In collaboration with one of its partner NGOs SEF approached music composer Shahid Bhutto for developing tunes on poetry written by renowned poets including Shamsher Al Hyderi, late Bharoo Mal, late Mirza Ajmal Baig and a few others. The songs were voluntarily sung by folk singers Dilshad Mirza and Sooraj Palijo as well as teachers and children of CSS schools based in Malir area of Karachi. A total of ten songs were compiled for sharing across the SEF school communities. The songs are based on the themes of environment, health, patriotism, unity, character building, road safety, animal rights and history; and seek to educate students in the primary and elementary grades in these subject areas.
Production of this resource is a pioneering step taken by the SEF for educating children in the Sindh province through music.
Adult Literacy Stories in Sindhi Language
In order to facilitate issue based teaching-learning for adult women learners, the SEF developed a series of 9 illustrated stories in Urdu language. These stories have been written by Prof. Rehana Mughni, Program Advisor, SEF. Recently UNESCO sponsored the translation and development of these stories in Sindhi language. The stories center on three broad themes which include health and nutrition, income generation and conflict resolution and are a useful adult literacy and awareness resource. Integrating these stories as part of the adult education underway at WLEP is an innovative attempt to inculcate women to be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers within their homes and communities. |
