In Pakistan, many girls don’t attend school, but Stichting Ondersteuning Meisjesonderwijs Pakistan (SOMOP) is trying to improve those numbers. One way of getting more girls into schools is by improving non-formal education. Girls often attend non-formal schools that don’t receive any government funding and so are in need of extra financial support. Most parents would like to send their daughters to school and are aware of the advantages of getting an education.
SOMOP asked the Marthe van Rijswijck Foundation for financial support for a project to improve the schools of Malakand. The goal of the project was to improve the quality of the education at 5 primary schools with 530-600 students in the remote area of Malakand. By doing this they want the students, often from poor families, to get a better education and so to encourage parents to send their daughters to school.
The money from the Marthe van Rijswijck Foundation has been used in three ways:
- 15 teachers attended teacher training courses, culminating in certificates.
- 119 students received uniforms.
- Materials, including:
– 20 white boards
– 30 mats
– 25 water coolers
– A chair and table for every teacher
– Stationary and classroom materials
The project has been successfully completed and the results are much appreciated in Malakand. The teachers, management, parents and students are all very happy with their improved schools. The schools have received a positive evaluation from the District Education Officer, visits regularly for checks and conducts exams. More girls are attending the schools, enrolment is increasing. At the end of 2015 there were 714 girls, which is what it is all about. We are very proud of these great results!
