SEF Middle and High School Programme (SMHSP)
Status: On-going
Start Date: Apr 2019
End Date: Jun 2020
Geographic Coverage: 2 Districts in Sindh
Focus Area: Education
SDG Goal: 4 To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Implementing Partner: SPO
Funding Partner: Sindh Education Foundation
SPO partnered with Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) for the implementation of formal and non-formal education intervention in Northern Sindh that includes districts Sukkur, Shikarpur and Jacobabad. This intervention is based on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework. The programme ensured to implement SDG Goal 4 which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
SPO implemented SEF Middle and High School Programme which aims at filling the gaps in post-primary education and in raising enrolment. SPO focused on provision of quality post-primary education by creating a thriving learning environment for young learners.
The project is being implemented in districts Sukkur and Jacobabad.
Under SMHSP, SPO works in the following eight schools:
1. Mughal Lashari, Thul, Jacobabad
2. Masoo Khan, Thul, Jacobabad
3. Chook Lashari, Thul, Jacobabad
4. Muhammad Panay Channa, Thul, Jacobabad
5. Ranjhapur, Thul, Jacobabad
6. Rasool Bux Buriro, Jacobabad
7. Darghai Wariyo, Rohri, Sukkur
8. Tando Mir Muhammad Hassan, Rohri, Sukkur
SPO aims to mainstream SDG Goal 4 which demands all states to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” In compliance, SPO provided free textbooks and additional learning material to enhance student’s writing and learning skills, designed pedagogical methods which promotes activity-based inter-active learning. Also, in order to give students all basic necessities, SPO ensured to provide basic facilities such as, safe drinking water, clean and hygienic classrooms, and well-maintained toilets. SPO also did resource mobilization by engaging Telenor Pakistan for establishment of IT laboratories for the Middle and High school programme. In order to engage students in extra- curriculum activities, SPO organized a plantation drive for the beautification of schools. Moreover, SPO is working on the professional development of teachers to maximize better learning outcomes.
The Objectives of SMHSP Programme are:
• To gradually increase provision of quality post-primary education in the remote areas of Sindh.
• To extend free and flexible learning opportunities at the grass-roots level.
The impact of SMHSP Programme is successfully setting a bar and shaping the future of Sindh’s education system in rural low-income communities. Till date, more than 1,000 children, including girls and boys were enrolled in the Middle and High schools. The enrolled children include but are not limited to street children and children from different marginalized communities. Moreover, two children from Chook Lashari received scholarship awards from Abdul Qadeer Khan School System, Chook Lashari. SPO teams are dedicatedly working to ensure that every child receives quality education and healthy life.
Another inspiring story of two brothers- Case Study
Chook Lashari is a village which is ten kilometers from the main town of Thul in the northern district of Jacobabad, Sindh. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, Chook Lashari lacks basic health and education facilities to cater to the needs of its inhabitants. Poor infrastructure makes it a huge challenge for people to access basic facilitates.
Inamullah and Asadullah hail from Chook
Lashari. Their father, Akhtiar, works as a peasant in the fields. They attended their local Primary school but due to lack of a Middle school in Chook Lashari, they could not continue their education. They would work in the fields with their father during the harvest season but both brothers were keen on attaining further education. In the meantime, SPO’s initiative with Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) made possible the construction of a Middle school in Chook Lashari. Alongside construction of the school, SPO carried out an enrolment drive and conducted several community awareness sessions on the importance of education.
During the enrolment drive, Inamullah and Asadullah were identified and were encouraged to continue their education at SPO Middle school. They joined the school eagerly and commenced their new studies.
Inamullah and Asadullah liked the new school building. The new building was well equipped with proper furniture, toilets with WASH facilities, a computer lab and a solar system installed to make the school energy-sufficient.
According to the Head Teacher, Ishfaq Ahmed, the two brothers took interest in learning English and also used their English language skills in text messaging from their mobile phones. The new school infrastructure along with an enabling learning environment created a positive impact on the learning outcomes of Inamullah and Asadullah.
The brothers excelled in English, Maths and Science, their hard work, diligence and thirst for knowledge paid off when both were awarded Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan Schooling System scholarships. Winning the scholarship made them the talk of the town and regarded them as role models in their village for their intelligence and sheer hard work. Inamullah wants to become an engineer and Asadullah wishes to study Medicine to become a doctor. Both want to contribute to the development of their local community and their country.