Innovative measures urged for inclusive education in Thar

Education experts and stakeholders in Thar are advocating for innovative steps to bridge educational disparities and foster a competitive environment in the region.

Thar, known for its unique challenges, necessitates a comprehensive approach tackling accessibility, infrastructure, and community engagement to promote inclusive education effectively.

The call for action came during an awareness event held at Arnaro, organized by AWARE in collaboration with the Education Department Government of Sindh.

Arbab Khalid Mustafa, Deputy District Education Officer, emphasized the need for a multifaceted strategy involving all stakeholders to enhance the quality of education and ensure students’ competitiveness on a national level.

Din Mohammad Dars, an advocate for digital literacy in Tharparkar, underscored the importance of integrating technology into education to empower Thari students.

Highlighting the difficulty of competing under traditional educational systems, he stressed the role of digital resources, e-learning platforms, and assistive technologies in narrowing the gap.

Aneel Kumar, a representative of the District Education Officer, lauded the science exhibits by government school students and stressed the importance of collaboration between schools, parents, and NGOs to create a supportive environment for inclusive education.

Ali Akbar Rahimoo praised the efforts of the Sindh Government in hiring teachers on merit but urged for innovative measures to address the unique challenges of Thar, including the provision of basic facilities and teacher training.

AWARE, in partnership with TDH Germany, has made significant contributions to improving school infrastructure in Tharparkar, providing solar-powered computers, libraries, WASH facilities, and furniture to 86 government schools. These efforts, along with teacher training initiatives, aim to create a more inclusive and equitable education system in Thar.

The event also celebrated student achievements, with science models showcased by students from various government schools. Din Mohammad Dars was recognized for his pioneering work in digital literacy, while two young online earners from Thar, Mukesh Kumar Suthar and Sagar Devrajani, were awarded for their achievements.

The event, organized by AWARE, highlighted the ongoing efforts to promote quality education and sustainable development in Tharparkar district, Sindh, Pakistan, with support from TDH Germany. Through these initiatives, stakeholders aim to address the challenges faced by the education sector and ensure access to quality education for all children in the region.

Hanif Samoon is a senior journalist based at Thar/Badin and contributes reports from different districts of Sindh to Minute Mirror. He has won a number of awards, including the Agahi Award twice for his stories on health and child rights. He tweets @HanifSamoon1 and can be reached through email at [email protected]