Key points
- Aansa Bibi, is a dedicated Pakistani attempting to bring change through education
- She has been providing education to poor communities for the last 20 years
- Aansa Bibi visits door-to-door to convince parents to enroll kids in school
ISLAMABAD: “The goal of my life is to serve society, particularly the underprivileged, and bring meaningful change to their lives.” These words were shared by Aansa Bibi, the principal of a school in Islamabad that has been serving the poor communities for more than two decades.
Education is a foundation of a better future, yet millions of Pakistani children remain out of school. However, efforts are underway in Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad, to change this reality, with certain schools working relentlessly to guarantee that every child has the opportunity to get an education.
The government of Pakistan has allocated Rs215 billion for federal education to provide better education to millions of Pakistani children.
A beacon of hope
Talking to WE News English, she said, “The school is a beacon of hope for students from poor communities, who cannot afford to get an education due to lack of resources.”
“Our primary goal is to bring out-of-school children into the education system,” Aansa added.
Responding to a question that how she convinced parents to enroll their children in the school, she said that they visit door-to-door to motivate and encourage parents to enroll their kids in school.
“There is a strong emphasis on girls’ education, which is especially important in places where social hurdles make it difficult for girls to attend regular schools,” she maintained.
For many of these families, the nearest school may be kilometres far away, making it difficult for children, particularly girls, to attend it.
To address this issue, Aansa said that her team created a network of more accessible local schools in the area.
Girls Education
The school teaches students from Montessori to Grade 5. After Grade 5, students are shifted to mainstream government schools, where they continue their education in a more formal setting.
The Montessori classrooms, which cater to children aged 3 to 5, use an innovative curriculum designed exclusively for playgroup, nursery, and Grade 1. The school provides its own workbooks, which are customized to the needs of these young students.
Despite some challenges, schools are working to provide education to every kid in the society. These small yet major efforts are creating awareness among the local communities and giving hope to families who previously believed that education was out of reach for their children.
The government’s commitment to education is obvious, as indicated by the budget’s allocation of Rs 215 billion for federal education. Of this money, 46 per cent is allocated for development, with a focus on establishing new schools and improving current infrastructure.
However, 54 per cent will allocate to current expenses such as teacher wages, school maintenance, and ensuring students have access to essential resources like books.
The road ahead is difficult but it is the shared responsibility and continuous efforts to provide an atmosphere in Pakistan, where every kid can access quality education.
People like Aansa Bibi are a ray of hope for many to change their lives through education.