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| October 24, 2002 | Thursday | Sha’aban 17,1423 |
US envoy paints classroom in Pindi school
RAWALPINDI, Oct 23: It is important for the children to acquire knowledge and skills which will continue to benefit them throughout their lives.
This was stated by the US ambassador to Pakistan, Nancy Powell, while speaking at a government primary school in Dhoke Munshi, where she participated in the “Paint a Classroom” project, sponsored by the Children’s Resources International (CRI) and US Aid for International Development (USAID).
Before speaking to the gathering of students, parents and teachers of the school, the ambassador joined them including volunteers from US embassy and USAID staff in painting of a classroom at the school.
While talking to the students, the US ambassador said: “I am here today to encourage your parents to work with the staff and students of this school to improve the educational environment.”
She urged the parents to support the teachers of the school and work with them to give their children a bright future.
Ms Powell pointed out that the children’s future, and that of their society, were critically dependent on the skills the children gained at the schools.
“In particular, with the world’s rapid pace of change, it is important that these students gain the skills necessary to continue learning long after they have left school, so that they may remain productive citizens for the rest of their lives and take advantage of the new opportunities this country will bring.”
The ambassador said the teachers of Dhoke Munshi Schools were receiving training and materials from the CRI.
“This forms part of USAID’s efforts to work with the government of Pakistan to give every Pakistani child the opportunity to reach their full potential and to contribute as productive citizens to Pakistan’s development.”
The deputy director of the CRI said the CRI programmes had been implemented in 30 countries, involving more than 82,000 teachers and 600,000 children.
She said the CRI initiated its Early Childhood programme in Pakistan in April 2002, with the support of the USAID.
The CRI is the first education programme to be supported as part of USAID’s gathering initiative to help Pakistan improve its schools, she added.
She said the organization was currently working in selected public and private schools in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Orangi Karachi.
The programme focuses on reaching approximately 6,750 children in 92 schools, she added.
Speaking on the occasion, the district Nazim, Raja Tariq Kiyani, said the district government was giving priority to education and health sectors.—APP
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