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Empowering Dreams: Nayab's Journey with Open Schooling in Pakistan.
Nayab is a 16-year-old girl facing financial difficulties that forced her to drop out of school. The SPARC Open School in #Pakistan—a partner of the Commonwealth of Learning’s @COL4D’s Empowering Women and Girls (EWG) project @EWG_23—is committed to positively impacting the future of its students and has played a crucial role in rekindling Nayab's educational aspirations and providing her with a supportive environment.
Nayab, who resides in Pakistan’s Golra Station with her parents, left formal education due to financial constraints, leading to mental and psychological distress. Her dropout from school left her feeling hopeless and disconnected from her dreams. Her mother, recognising the importance of education for Nayab's future, was determined to solve her daughter's predicament.
The turning point came when Nayab's mother learned about SPARC in their area—the school's commitment to providing books and a protected environment offered hope for Nayab's future. Recognising the emotional sensitivity of girls Nayab's age, her mother was determined to ensure her daughter had a firm standing in society through education.
Nayab's prolonged absence from formal education had left her despondent and lacking hope. Overcoming this emotional hurdle became a significant challenge. Nayab's initial days at the school were marked by silence and isolation, reflecting the depth of her emotional trauma.
Understanding the importance of personal connection, the SPARC team visited Nayab's home to motivate her to continue her studies. The school's teachers took a keen interest in Nayab's well-being, adopting personalised teaching techniques to accelerate her learning. The aim was to make education accessible to less privileged girls; Nayab's case was no exception.
Innovative teaching methods, including activity-based learning and group work, played a pivotal role in helping Nayab overcome her trauma. These approaches have facilitated academic progress and encouraged Nayab to interact with her classmates, breaking her isolation and fostering a sense of belonging.
Nayab is now a regular attendee at SPARC Open School, making remarkable progress daily. Her academic achievements reflect the effectiveness of the school's teaching methods and the resilience and determination she has discovered within herself.
Nayab's case exemplifies the transformative impact of the EWG-SPARC partnership, which provides education and hope to students facing socio-economic challenges. By addressing the emotional needs of students like Nayab and employing innovative teaching techniques, contributing to creating a brighter future for less privileged girls, empowering them to stand firm in society through education.
With funding from Global Affairs Canada, COL initiated the three-year project in 2023 to improve the realisation of human rights for women and girls from disadvantaged communities in selected areas of five Commonwealth member states, including Pakistan.
#EducationForAll #GirlsEducation #OpenSchooling #SPARCPK #EWGProject #EducationMatters #WomenEmpowerment #YouthEmpowerment #TransformativeEducation #EqualityThroughEducation #GlobalAffairsCanada
Check out the news and updates from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL)'s regional centre, Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (Col Cemca) for the month of December 2024: www.cemca.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/COL-CEMCA-UPDATES-DECEMBER-2024.pdf
Major highlights:
Launch of Graduate Employability Framework in India
COL-CEMCA Participation in GPAI Summit 2024, Belgrade, Serbia
COL-CEMCA Participation in India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2024, New Delhi,
India
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