Salima Moosa Sadruddin Sewani
Pakistan Development Foundation
Abstract
The present study identifies the challenges faced by one of the government sector schools in Sindh, Pakistan. It is supplemented with the implementation of the plan of action, which brought quality improvisation in some of the areas of teaching and learning practices. A case study method was used to select one underdeveloped school as a sample, through criterion sampling, located in Badin, Sindh. Within this framework, institutional participatory action research was conducted. Three domains were explored: health and hygiene area, organizing recreational activities and developing reading habit and writing practice. It was further supplemented by interviews with six participants (teachers), selected through purposive sampling. Data was gathered through observations and semi-structured interviews. The study revealed that deficient infrastructure, unavailability of trained teachers, inadequate school supplies, budgetary constraints, basic hygiene and sanitary challenges were the main hindering factors and major drawbacks, which affected teaching and learning process. The study showed positive impact of intervention in all domains. Health and hygiene area was improved by not only providing them stimulated knowledge but also by designing a sustainable hygiene area within the locality of school. Funds were gathered with the help of civil society which were used to provide school supplies, Artwork and recreational activities were also arranged which enchants children’s attention towards different types of creative artwork and, also helped them to explore their creative and artistic skills. A reading corner was also created which helped to improve reading and writing practice of children soon after few months of establishment of library corner. This plan gives idea that through proper funding, continuous input, rigorous monitoring, motivation and support from local community was fruitful to bring productive changes in this school as a replicable model.
Keywords: Educational Transformation, Reading, Writing Practice, Teaching and Learning
Academic Profile
Ms. Salima Moosa Sadruddin Sewani holds M. Phil in Social Sciences from Hamdard University, Karachi and M.Ed from the Aga Khan University, Institute for Educational Development, Karachi.