Government School Reform
SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls School
Full furnished computer lab
Student council
 
Background & Rationale
There are 41,713 primary schools, 2,600 middle schools and 1,747 secondary schools in Sindh. 5 million school-age children are out of school. They are out of school because the education they get at government schools does not help them get jobs nor promises a better future. Without reforming government schools, the vast majority of poor children will remain out of school. The answer to providing good quality education for poor children is to reform the government schools.
SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls School is situated at Nishtar Road, Karachi. The school is spread over 5 acres. In past the campus had 7 schools each headed by a separate Headmistress and functioned in two shifts. There were 2,600 students and 150 teachers.
Zindagi Trust takes over SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls School
Through a government notification (Government of Sindh), Zindagi Trust has been given full management of the SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls School. Zindagi Trust is working closely with Book group, a non-profit, educational research organization.
Elements of intervention / Status as of Dec 2007
Intensive work on physical infrastructure, administration and, most important of all, the quality of education has resulted in paradigm shift. The school has started functioning from 19 th November 2007 in single shift. The school building is divided in three blocks and is supervised by 3 heads:
  • Kindergarten section- K.G to class II

  • Junior section- class III to class VI

  • Senior section- class VII to X

Following steps have been taken at the school:
  • Acting principal is working for all 3 blocks.

  • Morning and afternoon shifts have been merged into single shift from 8am to 1pm.

  • Teachers to work for 5 days, Monday to Friday with Saturdays off School timetable has been re-organized to rationalize the teaching time for different subjects.

  • A Health-room and Daycare Center has been established. Teachers are bringing their newborns and infants in the Daycare during the time they are at the school.

  • Modern offices and secretarial support for Principal and the Heads
Academics

Better quality books for the teaching of English language, Mathematics and Urdu have been introduced. English is now taught from Class 1. Art is being taught with a new approach. Art material is supplied to all students free of cost. Sports are taught more professionally. Separate computer and science labs are established.

No examinations are held till class 5. Tests and assignments are given on a regular basis Teachers are being trained on modern teaching techniques. Vocational training for students of classes 9 and 10 to be introduced (computer, nursing, teaching, etc.)

Civil work
  • 2 blocks of the school building have been repaired and renovated

  • A fully furnished computer lab having 40 computers is functioning. A full time computer teacher is hired.

  • A well-equipped and air-conditioned library with a full-time librarian is being constructed.

  • Landscaping, pavement, tree plantation and sports facilities to be completed as soon as funds are available  
Other activities:
  • SMB school newsletter ‘ Jalebian' of students' work to be published twice a year. First issue of newsletter has been published.

  • Regular study trips to be arranged for students
  • Best Teacher Award to be given to selected teachers twice a year
  • Certificates for academic achievements to be given to students

  • An effective Parent-Teacher Association to be established
Future Plans
  • Funds are being raised for the renovation of the other 2 blocks, which could not be renovated

  • Negotiations for vocational training programme with a pharmaceutical company is already underway
  • Document these changes and influence the Sindh Education Department to replicate this model on a larger scale
  • Use this government school for bringing administrative changes in, and training of teachers for other government schools