TANDO MOHAMMAD KHAN: Hundreds of female students and teachers of several government schools on Saturday thronged the one-day ‘Girls Science Education Fair’ held at the Govt High School, girls’ campus, Tando Mohammad Khan. It was organised by the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) in collaboration with the provincial planning and development board under its community development programme.

Thirty-six brilliant science students and teachers entertained groups of visitors keenly taking interest in getting knowledge with the help of models and projects put on display at their respective stalls. Most of the models and projects pertained to biology, physics and chemistry.

Students of the host schools as well as girls’ campuses of the Govt High School Shaikh Bhirkio and Government High School Raju Nizamani took active part in disseminating knowledge to visitors, who packed the venue despite sweltering heat currently gripping the city and most parts of the province.

Water cycle, human circulatory system, the heart, electricity and solar system were some of the models prepared and displayed by young female students of secondary education.

All the students who produced the models received great applause from visitors. “We feel encouraged by the appreciation; it boosted our confidence,” says Kavita surrounded by excited fellow students and other visitors.

The host school’s head, Ruqaya Habib, described the young students’ models and projects, as well as their presentation, as fantastic.

The organisers and teachers appeared impressed by the big turnout and keen interest shown by young female students in the medical and engineering models. They noted that the students braved sizzling day-time temperatures in quest of knowledge.

“We always try our best to impart quality education to students,” Ms Habib said while speaking to local reporters.

At another segment of the fair, seven students made speeches on ‘Importance of science education’ in a debate competition and received great applause from enthusiastic audience. Ambar, Shahida and Paras clinched the first, second and third positions, respectively.

Later, PPP lawmaker Aijaz Shah Bukhari inaugurated the renovated and upgraded solar energy laboratory at the Govt High School, girls campus, Tando Mohammad Khan.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said education was a must to ensure a better society and it was necessary to educate girls. Mr Bukhari stressed that both public and private sectors should play their due role in this respect.

SCF executive director Javed Sozhalai said that the just inaugurated laboratory was built at a cost of Rs550,000. Because of the solar energy source provided at the lab, students would face no problem in the face of power breakdowns during their practical work and exams, he said, adding that 10 more such laboratories would be built in Tando Mohammad Khan soon.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2018