‘Children’s Perceptions of the Child Development Center’
Adopt-a-School Program, 2001
A case study research was undertaken to capture the opinions and perceptions of various school stakeholders regarding the quality of education being imparted in the schools of the Sindh Education Foundation’s Adopt-a-School Program. A government school (Laemo Gabol) was selected through random sampling. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were carried out with the Directors, Education Supervisors (who are in charge of implementing quality education in government schools), teachers (who are responsible for delivery) and the recipients of education including parents and students. Major findings of the study highlighted the role, competence and commitment of teachers in ensuring the quality of education. Further, the relevance of curriculum with culture, shortfalls in the present assessment system, confinement of the meaning of education to learning skills and importance of parental involvement were also discussed at length. An analysis of the findings implies that ‘quality education’ is multi-dimensional and has provoked several discourses in today’s educational context. It is an evolving concept relative to changing perspectives and emerging educational situations. However reforms and improvements to educational quality must take place at all levels through sharing findings and mobilizing efforts to discuss quality in education at the school and community level.