|
 Middle
grade students of five selected public schools exhibited amazing
policy formulation skills for solution of problems of clean
drinking water, increasing street crimes, hazards of kite
flying, garbage disposal and growing unemployment in Lahore, at
a ceremony arranged by the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan.
Bryan Hunt, principal officer US consulate Lahore, and
provincial minister for transport, Ghulam Mohiuddin Chisti, the
chief guests at the showcase ceremony of Project Citizen
Pakistan appreciated students’ skills and understanding of
issues in their communities.
Punjab Minister for transport promised a decent public transport
system for school kids. “Five major cities of Punjab are going
to have tube train system, many more are set to get CNG buses
for public transport. The tube service in Lahore will be from
Ferozepur road to Shahdara, he informed. The minister narrated a
moving tale of a school kid who lost his life after falling from
a bus on his way to school. “It is my dream and I have submitted
proposal to chief minister to provide safe transport for
schools,” he added.
“I am impressed with your work and its results,” said Bryan Hunt
and urged the students to live with the ideals of participatory
democracy to solve the problems being faced by Pakistani
society.
The talent and level of awareness of the school kids show that
our children are second to none in the world, said educationist
Ahmad Raza Khan and Saima Anwar of Save the Children UK who were
judges at the showcase hearing. Speakers said programs like
Project Citizen Pakistan should be extended to the rural areas
of Pakistan and civic education should be part of regular
curriculum.
Project Citizen Pakistan, a civic education program to promote
knowledge, skills and habits of heart for active citizenship
along with learning to monitor and influence public policy, has
touched lives and imaginations of 1141 students and 33 teachers
of 11 public schools in Lahore during the last four months.
Executive director, CCE-Pakistan Zafarullah Khan said that Project
Citizen Pakistan is not about competition but participation in
the affairs of community in a democratic way. “Young students
have exhibited amazing civic skills and knowledge to bring hope
to their communities,” he added.
In Showcase hearing a panel of judges awarded “Excellent School”
prize to the students of Government Anjuman-e- Islamia Girls
School, Gawalmandi. The students of Government Comprehensive
High School for Girls Wahdat Road earned the title of
“Outstanding School” and the students of Government N. D.
Islamia High School, Icchra was declared “the Best School.”
Special souvinors were distributed among principals and teachers
who served as civic educators at their schools. Famous TV anchor
Tauseeq Haider conducted the ceremony. |
