100 new ‘mat schools’ launched in Karachi

KARACHI:

The Federal Ministry of Education has launched 100 new mat schools (community-based schools) in the metropolis under its “Non-Formal Education” initiative. Federal Minister for Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui inaugurated the project at a ceremony held on Saturday at Liaquat Library.

Non-Formal Education Director General Hameed Khan Niazi of the Directorate General of Basic Education Community Schools (BECS), said the initiative follows the BECS model, where the primary curriculum from Grade I to V is completed within 30 months. He said that through the efforts of the federal minister, a package of 100 such schools has been introduced in the metropolitan city.

Explaining the model, he said the schools have been set up in community homes to facilitate out-of-school children. The ministry has provided mats for seating along with all essential teaching materials. Children between the ages of 8 and 16 are eligible for enrollment. On completion of the program, they can sit for the Grade V examination and also opt for technical education. Teacher training for these schools will commence from October 1.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Siddiqui said it was the responsibility of all elected representatives, including himself, to ensure that these schools are sustained. He noted that while hundreds of such schools already existed in districts like Badin, Qambar and Ghotki, Karachi previously had only 35 and Hyderabad none.