Pakistani Educational Leadership Project at Plymouth State University

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Environment is an integral part of our life and where ever we go, we will find an environment around us. All the living and non-living thing around us, make our environment. Though our earth is a grand habitat for all living things, however with a highly developed brain, human being enjoys a clear superiority over all other creatures. Whatever we do, it does make a direct or indirect impact on the other living beings around. The fact put a huge responsibility on our shoulders for acknowledging not only the share of all the living beings over this only living planet but also to maintain the resources that are essential for their healthy living. This would not only provide a proof for the better administration of human but is also essential for the survival of the human being itself. In the current scenario, where the race for development has made us destroy our immediate environment, this has become even more essential to impart the message to all folks of life.

A number of organizations have been working to highlight the importance of healthy environment and awareness among various sections of society, however very few are found in the field of educational institutions. To sensitize the young students and to impart necessary information regarding nature, biodiversity and environment, Society for Nature Clubs in Schools has been established under the Master Action Plan initiated during the month long course at Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute at Plymouth State University, New Hampshire USA. The main objective of the Society is to establish Nature Clubs at school level as an informal means of education. Under the current curriculum, Environmental education could not got a place as a separate subject however, it is taught either as part of another subject or at Postgraduate level as a separate subject.

After the initiation of the Society, the first step towards achieving its objectives was to organize a One – Day workshop involving teachers from various schools. Due to easy accessability to all the participants, the Workshop was held at Hayatabad Model School, Phase VI, Hayatabad. Invitations were sent to a total of eight schools, however due to heavy rain and bad weather a total ten teacher from five schools could participate in the workshop. The main resource persons of the workshop were Mr. Khurshid Ahmed, the Chairperson SNCS and Ms. Shabana Haider M.Sc. Environmental Sciences and working as a Gender Officer with World Wide Fund for Nature – Pakistan (WWF – P).

The registration of the participants was started at 09:30. A total of 10 teachers from 05 schools attended the workshop. Due to heavy rain, the workshop started at 10:30 am instead of the given schedule; and came to an end at 03:30 pm. Master Khalid, a student of Hayatabad Model School recited a few verses from the Holy Qura’an. Since the participants of the workshop belonged to different schools, they were introduced with each other in an interesting manner. (Annex – 1). Mr. Tahir Javed Malik, Director Hayatabad Model School threw light on the aims and objectives of the workshop. (Annex – 2). After that a code of conduct was designed through mutual consultation which was written on a chart and hanged on the most prominent spot on one of the walls. (Annex – 3). The participants were asked about expectations and concerns regarding workshop which helped the resource persons to plan their way of presentations accordingly. A brief on the purpose of the workshop was also delivered by Mr. Khurshid Ahmed. The first presentation was delivered by Mr. Khurshid Ahmed under the topic “ What is environment?”. (Annex – 4). It was followed by a short tea break while the 2nd presentation was delivered by Ms. Shabana Haider on “Ecological Foundation of Environment” (Annex – 5). To made them clear about the concept of food chain, an activity was conducted in which all the participants were involved. (Annex – 6). The next session was started by the Presentation of Mr. Khurshid Ahmed and the topic was “ Nature Clubs in School – Initiation, administration and organization”. (Annex – 7). At 01:30 pm a lunch break was announced, however due to ready made lunch packs, the participants insisted to let the proceeding of the workshop be continued. A group activity of all the participants was conducted in which all the participants were grouped into three groups A, B, and C. All the groups were assigned the task of developing a work plan for the activities of a Nature Club as well as exchange information regarding Natural resources of Pakistan, threats posed by them, reasons of these threats and the possible remedies for such issues. After the given time, all the group leaders presented their findings. Mr. Nasir Azam Sahibzada, the Program Officer UNHCR, being the chief guest delivered his thought regarding the usefulness of the workshop. The workshop came to an end after a session of questions – answers which was followed by the evaluation of the workshop through a printed proforma. Vote of thanks being the last activity of the day which was delivered by Ms. Farhana, the Principal Hayatabad Model School. At 03:30 pm the workshop came to an end.

Khurshid Ahmed
University Public School
University of Peshawar

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