By Jeff Baron
Staff Writer

Washington — The 40 Pakistani educators who descended on a New Hampshire college campus for a month this summer had some unanswered questions: What would they learn? How would it help them transform Pakistan’s schools and society? How would they get along with one another? And what could they possibly eat?

Educators from Pakistan enjoy a puppet program during classes at Plymouth State University, where they learned about innovations in U.S. education.

As the month neared its end, the educators said the program exceeded their expectations. They talked about it on a visit to the State Department in Washington, where the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has sponsored the Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute each summer since 2004 and doubled its size this year.

For one month, the educators lived in dorm rooms at Plymouth State University and learned techniques in classroom management, leadership, education technology and other topics that they can take home to use in their own classrooms and share with colleagues. The group included educators from the primary, middle, secondary, university and technical training levels.

Zakia Ishaq, who trains primary school teachers in Quetta, Baluchistan, said education at all levels in Pakistan tends to follow a traditional model: The teacher lectures and the students listen. She said her own approach has been more student-centered, using activities occasionally to bring lessons to life. “Here, we did everything on the basis of activity — activity-based teaching. Previously it was my method, but I will improve it more,” Ishaq said. “And my attitude: I basically was a friendly teacher with [students]. Now I’ll be more friendly with them, more helpful, as I learned from this group.”

Abida Begum, who teaches at Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre North in Gilgit-Baltistan, said she sees the effectiveness of the hands-on approach the institute used in a unit on the water quality of New Hampshire lakes.

“We went there. We selected samples. And by ourselves, we went to the laboratories,” she said. “We have some understanding from books, from Internet, from teachers, and then try to go to fields to really see what is happening. So this is total new learning for me, and I am thinking, when I go back to my own context to give trainings to teachers, I will first introduce the [material], then I will take them to different fields to really see what is happening. So this, I liked it very much.”

Zakia Ishaq, who trains primary school teachers, says she will focus more on "activity-based teaching," which she found effective and enjoyable.

Zakia Ishaq, who trains primary school teachers, says she will focus more on “activity-based teaching,” which she found effective and enjoyable.
Begum said another section of the program, on leadership, showed her how to work a film into a lesson effectively, first introducing a concept and then using the film to reinforce it. She said she plans to do the same to show the teachers she works with how to make the process work for them. “I will try to use theory and practice at the same time,” she said.

Muhammad Nadeem Farooqui, who teaches science and educational leadership at Aga Khan University’s Karimabad campus in Karachi, said that message became meaningful for him, too. “Earlier, I was of the opinion that this course was going to be in the university — ‘in the university’ means confined to some rooms. The new dimension that I could see is that the program was more like a balance of theory and practice. So we went to several places where we were able to implement the theory which we study in the morning, but also a broader application side of the concept.”

Farooqui said he also noticed one of the benefits of an interactive, student-centered approach to learning: He had a lot of fun. “Before coming to this program, I was of the opinion that I bring fun to my classes in Pakistan, but this experience made me realize that my earlier fun was very limited and it was inside the classroom,” he said. “I could realize that the fun should be very much visible and the fun should [involve people in] the program.”

And then there were the educators’ doubts about American food. As Muslims, with Ramadan approaching shortly after their return from the United States, Farooqui said: “We thought that this time we are going to have two months of fasting —one month in America and one month in Pakistan. But it never happened.”

“Initial days were difficult in terms of the food, and then soon we realized that we are here for the cultural exchange program, so why not we develop a taste for the American food? So we did try to eat more American food rather than try to look for some food which we already eat.” At the State Department meetings, Farooqui drew laughs when he pronounced himself a full fan of American cuisine.

Farooqui will play a key role in the program as its students return to Pakistan: He will use his experience in the Aga Khan University alumni association to help coordinate among the program’s alumni, who come from all parts of Pakistan and represent an array of ethnic groups. “It is about connecting the alumni and sharing resources,” he said.

All the alumni are expected to expand the work of the leadership institute by passing on its lessons to students and colleagues and by advocating for a modern, professional education system in Pakistan.

Ishaq said her mission is clear: “I will go. I will train 45 teachers of three schools — 15 [in each]. I will train them on activity-based teaching. When they … go to their school, they will train their colleagues. … Then in this manner, three schools I will cover. Then I will carry on — inshallah.”

(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)

Read more: http://www.america.gov/st/sca-english/2010/July/20100729083434kjleinad2.43777e-03.html?CP.rss=true#ixzz0wi1PdqYU

Well Come Peli 2010

Warm Regards

Samia

Peace Day was organized by Miss Sadia Shaukat in Township Campus, University of Education on 17, Dec, 2009. B.Ed students under the guidance of Miss Sadia celebrated this day with full enthusiasm, devotion and love for Pakistan.Miss Sadia described Peace is not just an absence of war; it is a virtue, a state of mind, and a disposition for benevolence, confidence (courage) and justice.

Almost 200 students at graduate and post graduate level participated in this event, Registrar of University of Education(Dr Saeed Akhtar) was the chief guest of this event, although Director (Anwar –ur-Rehman) and Principal ( Waqur-ur-nisa) of Science and Technology were also invited in this event.

B.Ed students performed skits about the current situation of terrorism and suicide bombing in Pakistan and they reflected their roles and responsibilities in this critical situation of Pakistan. They put light on the Muslims’ roles and their obligations for the sovereignty of Islam in Pakistan. “A Muslim only fights when forced to, and after exhausting all peaceful means of reconciliation. If any opportunity of peace arises, then Islam makes it compulsory for the Muslims to take it. A Muslim is also required to extinguish the flame of war whenever and wherever he can. The Qur’an says:‘But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and (put your) trust in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.’(Surat-al-Anfal (8), ayah 61).

B.Ed students read poems and sang songs for peace in Pakistan and more emphasis was given to awake the Pakistani nation (citizens) in this serious situation and how they can overcome this disastrous situation by holding hands together.

Moreover, students explained the meanings of Peace, brotherhood, unity, harmony, tolerance. Peace is the presence of justice in society, and it means to live happily. The history of Peace was also described by students. How we can make Pakistan peaceful, different speeches were delivered on this topic.

In peace the sons bury their fathers but in war the fathers bury their sons…. Pakistanis have been burying their young children, their friends and most of all their brave sons who gave their lives in order to save others. These brave soldiers, police officers and security guards are sacrificing their lives for our better future. They say “if there is a trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”

At last, registrar Dr Saeed Akhtar concluded the session with the encouraging remarks for Miss Sadia Shaukat’ efforts for organizing this event and he highlighted the importance of peace in our country. He addressed to students, we need to develop harmony and unity in ourselves and should be ready to give every sacrifice for the prosperity and survival of Pakistan. Director and Principal also expressed their views regarding the promotion of peace in our country by unity. Event was ended with the certification ceremony among students on their brilliant performance.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/QUALITY-EDUCATION-FORUM/230439088765?ref=ts

Best Regards
Afshan Huma
PELI-PSU Alumni 2007
Lecturer AIOU
Doctoral Student, MSU

Alumni have reported sharing Project training with over 100, 000 of their colleagues and students.  The statistical outcomes result from implementation of activities in Pakistan developed during the Project’s intensive institutes  at Plymouth State University. But most importantly, building relationships is at the core.   The Project has been funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Citizen Exchanges since 2003.  The cross-cultural and -educational exchange  component is the essence of the Project. Pakistanis and Americans have shared experiences and formed friendships that transcend boundaries.

With planning underway for the 2010 institute and follow-on activities in Pakistan, the focus will continue on science education and educational leadership.  Each institute examines issues from different perspectives for continuing professional development enrichment in Pakistan.  Many factors shape the curriculum, including Ministry of Education goals and alumni advice.  The 2010 institute will explore ethics and advocacy in educational leadership and environmental education.

The rigorous merit based nomination and selection process soon will be underway in Pakistan, facilitated by the Project’s in-country service provider, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi.  It also will be assisted by Departments of Education and educational institutions.  The Project, its Pakistani alumni, Plymouth State University’s staff and faculty,  and New Hampshire’s Lakes Region communities look forward to welcoming more Pakistani educational leaders as guests, colleagues and friends.

Dear All

    A very very warm Eid greetings to all of u  pl do pray for my home land

                                                                                                Samia