Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: Students exposed to experiential learning are more prepared for the future work environment, which is evolving at an unprecedented speed.
Recognising the importance of experiential learning, the Aga Khan University’s Examination Board (AKUEB) has launched its revamped Middle School Programme, a project-based learning approach for students of grades 6 to 8 that recognizes the importance of experiential learning – learning from their own experience provides the knowledge, skills and values that are fundamental to sustainable success. The event was attended by over 400 educationists including, school principals, teachers and academic coordinators from across Sindh. The Programme focuses on developing essential competencies in students, such as critical thinking, communication skills and teamwork – often referred to as 21st century skills – through broad-based interdisciplinary projects. Aisha Malik, a student from Hyderabad who participated in the middle school projects spoke excitedly about her experience of working with a group of students. It was both amazing and unique. I became very excited whenever my teachers announced a new project as they gave me an opportunity to test my skills at a whole new level. “They also helped me recognize my abilities and special skills as a team worker,” she shared.
“I had a great time while working in teams,” said Sahil Francis, another student from Hyderabad. “These projects will play a very significant role in my practical life. The skills acquired from these projects will help me to cope with situations in my daily routine.”
“The aim is to facilitate a learning environment that prepares not only problem highlighters but problem solvers and creative thinkers. We believe that, in order to navigate and thrive in the 21st century world, Pakistan’s education system must inculcate in the students the ability to think out of the box, to be analytical, collaborative, curious, imaginative and innovative. Middle School Programme aims to prepare the students to cope up in a world that evolves at an unprecedented speed,” said Dr Shehzad Jeeva, Director, AKUEB.
Each school that opts for the Programme will receive a set of six interdisciplinary projects per class based on middle school syllabi drawn from the National Curriculum of Pakistan. The projects will be across five core subjects, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Urdu and English with students working individually and in groups to complete project tasks and then compile them as one portfolio. The schools affiliating with AKU EB will benefit from orientation sessions, annual teacher meetings and on-going teacher development support thereby making the Middle School Programme enriching for both teachers and students.
Appreciating the Programme, the Chief Guest, Jameel Yusuf, former chief of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee and President of ‘I am Karachi’ consortium said, “Today we live in a technology and media-suffused environment. To be effective in such a dynamic world, our students must be able to create, evaluate and effectively utilize the abundant information acquired through media and technology. It is heartening to see how the AKUEB is creating an impact in our society focusing on enhancing the thinking process of our future generation.
Pakistan has no institute to check unfit vehicles: moot told
Correspondent
KARACHI: In Pakistan, there is no any institute to check unfit vehicles as per global standards for issuing vehicle fitness certificate. Sindh urban transportation project for vehicle fitness would be outsourced to private company to implementation of rules and regulation issued by Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority’ (OGRA) and Supreme Court directives. A campaign will be commenced by Sindh Transport Department from first fasting day of this Ramdhan to visit all CNG pumps to stop vehicles fitted with substandard gas cylinders on roads.
These views were presented by Sindh Transport Department’s Secretary Taha Siddiqui while speaking at one day workshop on “Safety Rules and Procedure of CNG Transport” jointly organized by Pakistan Sustainable Transport (PAKSTRAN) Project & CNG Owners Association of Pakistan and CNG Dealers of Pakistan on Wednesday at a local hotel.
CNG Stations Owners Associations of Pakistan’s Chairman Malik Khuda Bux, SIU Sindh PAKSTRAN’s Manger Yar Muhammad, NED University’s Urban Infrastructure and Transportation Department’s Prof Dr Shabar Ali, Federal Ministry of Communications’ Director Hamid Akhtar, M. Naeem Qureshi President National Forum for Environment & Health and others attended the program.
Malik Khuda Bux urged Sindh government to reduce the CNG load shedding in Sindh province as the province is producing 71% of gas. He said CNG stations are unable to implement laws regarding expired gas cylinders in vehicles due to rush of vehicles but it is very important to ensure that gas cylinders older than five years are not fitted in public transport vehciles. He said it is dire need to speared awareness among the CNG users and commuters about expired CNG cylinders. He said expired gas cylinders are like ticking bombs attached to vehicle which could explode any time.
Dr Shabar said they are holding a study at NED university of Engineering and Technology in collaboration with the transport department to improve this sector.
“The population in Sindh is growing but there is an insufficient infrastructure along with an inconsistent policy for the urban area and the need for a strong coordination between several key departments,” he explained while adding that they needed to formally integrate land use and transport along with improvising pedestrian facilities, come up with an intelligent transport system of computerised cards, regular vehicle fitness checkups, etc.
Chairman of All Pakistan Petroleum and CNG Dealers Association Abdul Sami Khan said this country had been really unlucky that after spending billions on CNG the authorities were now in the process of putting an end to it all. He said there were so many issues associated with CNG that instead of fixing them, the government became overwhelmed and decided to just kill the CNG drive altogether.
“As per the Constitution of Pakistan, the first right for gas remains with the province that produces it. Some 71 per cent of the country’s gas comes from Sindh and yet we have gas load shedding here with other provinces that produce 16 or 14pc gas do not experience any load shedding,” he added.