Nowshera Basti Education Project
Introduction
Just across the River Kabul, this “kachi abadi” is located near Nowshera Cantt in KPK. Almost the entire population of this locality (around100 families) is living in miserable economic conditions, which is evident from the shabby outlook of this basti. Literacy rate is very low and there are very few adults that can read or write. Till recently, most children were not going to school. However, since last 2 years, an effort was initiated by PROSPER to motivate the parents to send their children to school. Fortunately, these efforts were re-enforced by some incentives offered by the provincial government. As a result parents have now started sending their children to government school for primary education.
Although, many children (50 approx.) have started going to school, they need extra coaching to re-enforce what they learn in school. PROSPER International has hired a teacher to provide extra coaching to children in English and Math. In addition, the teacher is also providing the whole community with basic social, moral and ethics education.
Impact of efforts
- People of the basti are becoming more open to providing education to their children.
- Children have started going to school.
Future Proposal
Three children from Classes 6 – 8 will be admitted in a boarding facility in a big city like Lahore or Islamabad. These children will absorb a different culture and hopefully will bring a paradigm change in the basti’s culture.
