This International Human Rights Day, youth are playing a crucial role in positive change and standing up for their rights around the world. In Sindh, students are raising their voices to promote access to quality education.
Taking advantage of celebrations for Universal Children’s Day that gathered students, parents, education officials, and community members in November, children in Dadu, Jacobabad, Karachi, Kashmore, and Larkana districts took to the stage to advocate for their educational rights. With support from Blumont’s USAID-funded Sindh Community Mobilization Program (CMP), students gave speeches, performed skits, and wrote essays on the importance of education and to call for an end to corporal punishment and violence against girls.
Kinza, who wants to be a teacher when she grows up, likes her school because it offers her a chance to learn and become successful. “I like to come to school because I get to learn,” Kinza, a 4th grader, said. “Education gives us awareness and helps us become successful in life.”
Tania, a 4th grader, appreciates the work her teachers do to educate her and her peers and hopes other children have the same opportunity to attend school. “Education is extremely important,” Tania said. “I want everyone in my village to get an education and play a role in society.”
Zain, a 5th grader in Jacobabad, is one of thousands of kids who will soon attend class in a newly constructed school supported by USAID. He said the new building will enhance his learning and improve conditions so they can hold full days of classes. “School gives us knowledge, education, and awareness,” he said. “I am looking forward to the new school so I can spend a full day in the classroom.”
Upgraded technology provided by small grants have also boosted learning. Ruqaiya, a 10th grader at Government Girls High School in Dadu, said her favorite part of school is the computer lab.
The day’s celebrations, which drew more than 1,200 people, all took place in communities supported by CMP. Whether constructing new schools, rehabilitating classrooms, improving educational management, or providing small grants, CMP is improving education in over 400 schools across all 29 districts of Sindh and reaches more than 50,000 girls and nearly 80,000 boys.
****
CMP is a USAID-funded program that supports the Government of Sindh’s education reform and USAID’s Sindh Basic Education Program. CMP improves school resources and encourages community support for educational reform in Sindh province while identifying and addressing primary barriers to access, particularly for female students.
RELATED READING:
Sindh Community Mobilization Program (CMP)
Local School Governance Spurs Sustainable Positive Impact
