FAISALABAD: The computer lab at the Government Girls High School, Chak 2-JB, Ramdiwali, is in a bad shape.

The lab was set up on the desire of Arfa Karim, the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional, who convinced an NGO of Karachi to fund the project. It was named (Kareem Computer Learning Centre) after Arfa’s grandfather.

Arfa passed away at the age of about 17 in Lahore on Jan 14, 2012, after a brief illness.

Read: Arfa Karim passes away in Lahore

During a visit to the school situated on Faisalabad-Chiniot Road, this correspondent saw girls standing in the lab with computer books in their hands. The students were being imparted computer education through books rather than practical work.

Some of them told Dawn the computers in the lab were out of order for the last few months and the school
administration was paying no heed to resolve the issue. They said the teachers had been teaching them computer without any practical.

Also read: A beautiful mind that was

“We are learning computer science but a majority of us even don’t know how to create a file,” they said.

A layer of dust covered the tables and chairs installed for the students and the power was suspended and the UPS out of order.

Ahtashamul Haq said Arfa, whose family belongs to Chak 4-JB, Ramdiwali, had wished that the girls at Chak 2-JB schools could have computer labs.

Amjad Kareem, the father of Arfa, told Dawn it was the sole computer lab that she had established in her life. He said Arfa had floated the idea of setting up the lab at the school when she had gone to inaugurate a computer lab at the Sindh Madrasatul Islam University, Karachi.

He said a state-of-the-art computer lab had been set up at the school with 25 computers, UPS, two air-conditioners and other allied facilities. “Unfortunately, the lab is in a bad condition now,” he said.

He said the authorities concerned had turned a blind eye to the facility which was in need of restoration. He said a local parliamentarian had even replaced the foundation plaque with his name.

He said Arfa had dreamed of equal opportunities and educational facilities for the rural and urban students, particularly girls.

He demanded the district administration look into the issue and revive the facility.

Punjab Teachers Union President Hafiz Ghulam Mohyuddin said computer education was being neglected at the state-run schools. He said the government must focus on this area because developed nations were rapidly computerising their facilities from health to banking.

The school head did not respond to calls this correspondent made to get her version.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2015

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