Support a School

During 2007, Hidaya revamped its Support a School Project by:

• Adopting and operating public schools, which have been closed for a variety of reasons.

• Intiating new schools in economically depressed areas which did not have any schools.

Adoption of Public Schools:

• Hidaya prepared a criteria for adoption of public schools in remote villages.

• Based on the criteria, Hidaya identified and surveyed 37 schools in District Shikarpur, Pakistan.

• In addition, 56 villages in the flood affected areas of Shahdad Kot, Pakistan were also surveyed for this project. Out of those 56 villages, 7 villages had no schools, 31 villages had schools that are currently not in operation, and 18 villages had schools were functioning.

• A cost analysis was completed for each school based on student population and surrounding social conditions.

• An agreement was signed between Hidaya and District Education Department for adopting 20 schools during the year.

• A timeline was finalized for the start of each school.

• Simultaneously, a classroom curriculum was designed.

• In District Shikarpur, Pakistan, 152 applications were received for teaching positions.  Each of these applicants was interviewed and tested, from which 15 were hired and trained.

• In the flood impacted areas of Shahdad Kot, Pakistan 125 teachers were tested for teaching positions.  60 applicants passed the test and were interviewed, from which 26 were likely candidates to teach at the 38 closed public schools and school-less villages.

• Committees were formed for the construction/repair of the school buildings consisting of Hidaya team, Education Department officials, and District Commissioner’s Representative.

• Meetings were arranged with the surrounding community of each school to mobilize and involve them in this effort.

• Teams were formed to monitor the operation of all schools and evaluate the progress of teachers.

• In 2007, Hidaya adopted 5 public schools to serve poverty-stricken populations.

Construction of Brand New Schools:

• Since inception Hidaya was running two schools where there were no public or private schools in the area.

• Recently Hidaya constructed classrooms for those schools which were operating in temporary buildings

• Hidaya will continue to start new schools to serve impoverished populations