After a decade’s worth of experience in working with local partner NGOs, DIL began to explore the option of managing individual schools directly in 2006. As a test case, DIL decided to convert three schools in Islamabad Capital Territory into model institutions that provide quality education.

The National Rural Support Program (NRSP) was contacted by DIL in 2006 for assistance in identifying schools in the outskirts of Islamabad serving only impoverished communities. After several visits, three community run schools were selected. The DIL office is now directly managing all education-related matters and NRSP is handling all community-related issues.

New buildings are being constructed for two schools and classrooms and toilets have been added to the third school. All the teachers attended pre-service training in 2006, before the start of the new school year, and continue to receive trainings at regular intervals.

Schools:

Pind Malkan

Number of teachers: 7
Number of students: 147
Number of classrooms: 7

Pind MalkanSchool was a basic 4 classroom structure with a small office for the headmistress when DIL took over. DIL constructed three additional classrooms as well as three toilets and refurbished the old classrooms. In addition, a computer lab, a library and playground facilities were added.

The classroom management has improved considerably as teachers are implementing techniques learned during training. The teacher are preparing lesson plans and following them closely. The school walls are adorned with educational charts and students’ art work. Activity based learning is being implemented very successfully at this school.

Chak Kamdar

Number of teachers: 8
Number of students: 183
Number of classrooms: 7

This school is currently operating in rented premises; however, DIL is constructing a brand new school on land donated by the community. The schools should be ready by the end of August 2007.

DIL staff is helping the teachers improve their

Chak Kamdar school under construction

classroom management practices, which is being hindered by the paucity of classroom space. However, lesson plans are being made and followed and students are progressing well. On rainy days, the school has to be shut down due to roof leakage problems.

Students and teachers are eager to moving into their new school.

Playground facilities have been added recently and are being enjoyed by the students.

Bunni Behk

Number of teachers: 2
Number of students: 50
Number of classrooms: 2

Bunni Behk was identified very recently; therefore, DIL’s intervention at this school has been minimal so far. DIL is currently in the process of transferring the land titles so that construction on a new school can begin. In the meantime, this school is housed on rented premises.

Teachers are currently being trained so that they are ready to impart quality education when the new school year begins in August 2007.