Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute

Note: Khawaja’s story is particularly compelling as his 10-year-old son was killed when his school was destroyed during the devastating Pakistan earthquake in December 2005. In spite of his personal tragedy, Khawaja decided to participate in PSU’s PEL Institute last year and his experience, in his words, gave him, “the vision, courage and the motivation to overcome my personal tragedy. I left the USA with a very positive frame of mind and am now totally committed to bringing quality changes in the classrooms through training my other colleagues…”

Pakistan Summer Institute for Teacher’s Training 2006.

Overview by Khawaja Tariq Shafi

After the devastating earthquake of October 2005, It was a great privilege for me and also for my companions that we got a chance cope with our trauma through Plymouth State’s 4 week Summer Institute , because many of us has had experienced losses of life as well as property.

The chance was given by ITA and PSU in assistance with the State Dept., Bureau of State Department of USA. Although it was a month based programmed but it changed our whole lives by seeking different techniques and by making social and educational contact with our American brethren.

It was a small but a very focused programmed which not only enhanced our subject knowledge but also created educational leadership and pedagogical skills of Pakistani teachers.

The PSU design team and faculty for this four week program offered enriching seminar for the professional development of Pakistani group.

A series of social gatherings were held to introduce participants to the members of PSU and other NH Community for educational and cultural experience.

We also organized a cultural night named “Jevey Pakistan Cultural Night 2006” in which diverse culture of Pakistan was successfully demonstrated before PSU staff and then family members. Gift ceremony was also one of the traditional events of Pakistani group.

During the stay we got a chance to visit, Niagara Falls, New York City and different states of the USA. These tours were recreational as well as educational. It was really a wonderful experience, along with indoor studies and outside trips as well. We gained a lot and improved our skills regarding new and learner centered teaching and learning in schools.

In short it is a beauty of diverse culture between Pakistan and USA

It can promote good with and cultural understanding between the two countries. I am grateful to ITA, SINP and PSU to have given me a chance to improve my knowledge. This is a kind of program which should be continued in the future.

I am also thankful to Baela Jamil, Beena Raza and Blake Allen and her husband John who really took care of us and also she is still appreciating my work.

Last but not least I am deeply indebted to my department in Azad Kashmir for nominating me for this prestigious training. The competition was tough as we had to go through a rigorous process of test and interviews. This was a lifetime opportunity as I had never been nominated for training outside the country. The fact that I was a senior subject specialist posted in a school from a very backward area in the Kashmir Valley. During the earthquake my school was totally destroyed and my 10-year-old son was an unfortunate victim studying in the same school. The PSU experience has given me the vision, courage and the motivation to overcome my personal tragedy. I left the USA with a very positive frame of mind and am now totally committed to bringing quality changes in the classrooms through training my other colleagues and giving feedback to the Dept. of Education.

Because of my selection for PSU’s Summer Institute my Dept. acknowledged the new pedagogical practices I acquired in a short span of time and as an incentive and recognition of my hard work I have been nominated for M.Ed (assessment and evaluation) Melbourne University, Australia for 2008.