Vi ste potpredsednik škole Bridž u Karačiju, u Pakistanu. Recite nam o misiji i viziji vaše škole?
Škola Bridž u Karačiju je posvećena pružanju kvalitetnog obrazovanja deci iz siromašnih porodica. Naša misija je da premostimo obrazovnu prazninu i osnažimo učenike sa znanjem i veštinama koje su im potrebne da bi uspeli u životu. Naša vizija je da stvorimo zajednicu u kojoj svako dete ima pristup obrazovanju, bez obzira na socio-ekonomsko poreklo.
Koliko je teško pronaći kvalitetne nastavnike i volontere koji će vam pomoći u vašoj misiji?
Pronalaženje posvećenih i kvalifikovanih nastavnika i volontera je izazovno, ali isplativo. Tražimo pojedince koji su strastveni u obrazovanju i posvećeni stvaranju razlika u životima naših učenika. Takođe nudimo obuku i podršku kako bismo osigurali da oni mogu efikasno da doprinesu našoj misiji.
Koliko su roditelji učenika uključeni u vaše dnevne/nedeljne aktivnosti? Koliko im je važno da se deca obrazuju?
Roditelji su ključni za uspeh naše škole. Aktivno su uključeni u dnevne i nedeljne aktivnosti, od odlaska na roditeljske sastanke do učešća na školskim priredbama. Njihova posvećenost obrazovanju njihove dece je očigledna i neophodna za rast i razvoj naših učenika.
U Pakistanu postoji ogroman broj dece koja nemaju pristup osnovnom obrazovanju. Koliko dugo postoji Bridž škola, i koliko dece se do sada školovalo kod vas?
Bridž škola radi više od jedne decenije. Od svog osnivanja, obrazovali smo hiljade dece, pružajući im alate koji su im potrebni da razbiju krug siromaštva i grade svetliju budućnost.
Imate zimske kampove i izlete, u čemu učenici najviše uživaju?
Naši učenici posebno uživaju u praktičnim aktivnostima tokom zimskih kampova, kao što su umetnost i zanat, sport i vežbe za izgradnju tima. Izlasci u istorijska mesta i muzeje su takođe hit, jer pružaju zabavno i obrazovno iskustvo van učionice.
Da li vaši učenici upisuju dalje obrazovanje i koje mogućnosti imaju? Kako zajednica pomaže njihovom ličnom razvoju?
Mnogi naši studenti nastavljaju da pohađaju visoko obrazovanje. Pružamo smernice o stipendijama, stručnoj obuci i drugim mogućnostima da im pomognemo da nastave školovanje. Zajednica igra značajnu ulogu u podršci njihovom razvoju kroz mentorske programe i lokalne inicijative.
Možete li nam reći kako nedostatak obrazovanja utiče na vaše društvo?
Nedostatak obrazovanja održava ciklus siromaštva i ograničava mogućnosti za pojedince i zajednicu. To utiče na ekonomski rast, zdravlje i socijalnu koheziju, što ga čini kritičnim pitanjem za poboljšanje društva.
Da li vidite napredak u poređenju sa prethodnih deset godina, da li ljudi u Pakistanu počinju da shvataju važnost obrazovanja?
Tokom protekle decenije, došlo je do značajnog napretka u podizanju svesti o značaju obrazovanja u Pakistanu. Osnovano je više inicijativa i programa za obezbeđivanje pristupa kvalitetnom obrazovanju, a među stanovništvom raste razumevanje njegovog značaja.
Šta je nešto na čemu trenutno radite na poboljšanju kroz svoju nastavnu praksu?
Trenutno se fokusiramo na ugradnju tehnologije u našu nastavnu praksu kako bismo poboljšali iskustvo učenja. Ovo uključuje korišćenje digitalnih alata i resursa za kreiranje interaktivnijih i zanimljivijih lekcija.
Da li imate projekte na kojima radite, kroz saradnju sa studentima iz drugih gradova ili zemalja?
Imamo nekoliko projekata u saradnji sa studentima iz drugih gradova i zemalja. To uključuje programe kulturne razmene, zajedničke istraživačke projekte i virtuelne učionice, koje pomažu da se prošire vidici naših učenika i podstiču globalne veze.
Kakav doprinos možemo dati sa ove distance?
Možete podržati našu misiju tako što ćete donirati našoj školi, sponzorisati obrazovanje dece ili obezbediti resurse kao što su knjige i tehnologija. Pored toga, volontiranje vašeg vremena i stručnosti na daljinu može imati značajan uticaj.
- Koju poruku biste želeli da pošaljete ljudima ovde na Balkanu koji bi mogli da pročitaju ovaj članak?
Obrazovanje je moćno sredstvo za promene. Podržavajući inicijative poput naše, pomažete da se stvori svetlija budućnost za decu kojoj je to najpotrebnije. Zajedno možemo srušiti barijere i izgraditi svet u kome svako dete ima priliku da uči i napreduje. Hvala vam na podršci i solidarnosti.
Da biste saznali više o našim inicijativama, slobodno posetite naš sajt:
https://www.thebridgeschool.org.pk/
SYED ATHER RIZVI – IN A CHARITABLE MISSION
- You are the vice president of the Bridge school in Karachi, Pakistan. Tell us about the mission and vision of your school?
The Bridge School in Karachi is dedicated to providing quality education to underprivileged children. Our mission is to bridge the educational gap and empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life. Our vision is to create a community where every child has access to education, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
- How hard is it to find quality teachers and volunteers to help you in your mission?
Finding dedicated and qualified teachers and volunteers is challenging but rewarding. We look for individuals who are passionate about education and committed to making a difference in the lives of our students. We also offer training and support to ensure they can effectively contribute to our mission.
- How involved the student’s parents are in your daily/weekly activities? How important is it for them to have their children educated?
Parents are crucial to our school’s success. They are actively involved in daily and weekly activities, from attending parent-teacher meetings to participating in school events. Their commitment to their children’s education is evident and essential for our students’ growth and development.
- There is a huge number of children in Pakistan who do not have access to basic education. How long does the school exist and how many children have been educated in your school since then?
The Bridge School has been operating for over a decade. Since its inception, we have educated thousands of children, providing them with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future.
- You have winter camps and outing events, what students enjoy the most?
Our students particularly enjoy the hands-on activities during winter camps, such as arts and crafts, sports, and team-building exercises. Outings to historical sites and museums are also a hit, as they provide a fun and educational experience outside the classroom.
- Do your students enroll in further education and what options do they have? How the community help their personal growth?
Many of our students go on to pursue higher education. We provide guidance on scholarships, vocational training, and other opportunities to help them continue their education. The community plays a significant role in supporting their growth through mentorship programs and local initiatives.
- Can you tell us how lack of education affects your society?
A lack of education perpetuates the cycle of poverty and limits opportunities for individuals and communities. It affects economic growth, health, and social cohesion, making it a critical issue to address for the betterment of society.
- Do you see progress compared to the previous ten years, do people in Pakistan begin to understand the importance of education?
Over the past decade, there has been significant progress in raising awareness about the importance of education in Pakistan. More initiatives and programs have been established to provide access to quality education, and there is a growing understanding of its value among the population.
- What’s something you’re currently working on improving through your teaching practice?
We are currently focusing on incorporating technology into our teaching practices to enhance learning experiences. This includes using digital tools and resources to create more interactive and engaging lessons.
- Do you have any projects that you work on, through cooperation with students from other cities or countries?
We have several projects in collaboration with students from other cities and countries. These include cultural exchange programs, joint research projects, and virtual classrooms, which help broaden our students’ horizons and foster global connections.
- What contribution can we make from this distance?
You can support our mission by donating to our school, sponsoring a child’s education, or providing resources such as books and technology. Additionally, volunteering your time and expertise remotely can make a significant impact.
- What message would you like to send to people here in Balkan who might read this article?
Education is a powerful tool for change. By supporting initiatives like ours, you are helping to create a brighter future for children who need it most. Together, we can break down barriers and build a world where every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive. Thank you for your support and solidarity.
To learn more about our initiatives, feel free to visit our website:
https://www.thebridgeschool.org.pk/