Background: RC Jhang Saddar has been focusing on literacy since 2002, aimed at the communities of the destitute. To address this important issue of the community the Board of Directors, Rotary Club Jhang established a permanent regular primary school 'Rotary Education Center Dar-ul-Ehsan' in Sarwar Colony. In this community of 1,200 residents the literacy rate amongst males is as about 6% - 8% and 3% - 4% for females. Raggedly clad, young boys and girls, would aid their parents and were mostly garbage pickers; picking up waste paper, bottles and tin cans, etc. to earn a few rupees.
After facing numerous challenges to get started, Rotarians were able to enroll 75 students. The school opened its door on 8th Sept. 2002, a very befitting opening indeed (in 1965, UN declared September 8th as International Literacy Day, the day that seeks to focus public attention on the major global problem of illiteracy).
Education at the school is totally free. All the expenses, including salaries of teachers, books, etc. are borne by the Rotarians. For the last 13 years the school has been running successfully and many students have successfully completed their primary school education and have gone to higher education of learning.
Scope: At present, there are 171 students enrolled in the school that covers classes from kindergarten thru 5th grade.
Current facilities include:
• For 6 classes, there are four classrooms (includes a hall room that is being partitioned to make two rooms)
• There is no furniture in any of the class rooms. Children sit on the ground.
• There are wooden blackboards which get damaged frequently.
Proposed effort involves:
• Addition of one classroom.
• Addition of a computer lab
• Renovation of existing class rooms (floors & walls).
• Addition of a library to enhance learning skills.
• Furniture for classrooms, computer lab and library.
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