KARACHI, Feb 23: The provincial government has taken serious notice of a resolution passed by the City Council against the adopt-a-school programme and privatization. It termed the council's move 'interference in the affairs/policy of the provincial government.'

A spokesman for the Sindh Education and Literacy Department on Monday said that the aim of launching this programme was to give due attention to educational institutions, particularly at the level of schools, for their upgradation.

The innovative idea of offering government schools to those willing to adopt one was floated through an analysis, Basic Education in Sindh, by Prof Anita Ghulam Ali, in 1990 for Unicef. The analysis had highlighted poor performance and infrastructure of government schools in Sindh.

In 1997, the Education Department chalked out the strategy of adopt-a-school programme and submitted the same to the then Minister for Education. This presentation highlighted and proposed the process of adopting schools by private sector in a phased manner.

The strategy suggested formation of a group comprising the Education Department, Sindh Education Foundation and the aspirant party to revitalize the schools through a strong linkage and mobilization of parents and the community.

The adopt-a-school programme was officially launched in 1997. There was a special purpose behind naming the programme as adopt-a-school. Adoption required nurturing of schools by not just matching its physical needs, but going a step further with the needs that would make a school self-sufficient.

The motivation behind the adoption of schools was to ensure sustained improvement in government schools, effective school managements, physical uplift, improved quality of education with increased involvement of parents and communities, regular monitoring of schools and feedback, head-teachers' and teachers' training, co-curricular activities and increased/improved school facilities.

An adopter would work for upgrading the standard of school with the cooperation, assistance, collaboration of government/SMC/school staff. The adopter would act as monitor and caretaker.

Prior to the launching of the adopt-a-school programme, these schools were neglected by public due to scarcity of funds, laboratory equipment and other essential facilities and environment.

After implementation of the programme, government schools have been benefited which is visible from the attention received from public and teaching/non-teaching staff employed by the adopters. -APP