RIZWAN BHATTI

KARACHI: Engro is committed to improving the quality of education available to Pakistan’s children, particularly primary education and a part of this commitment Engro has adopted a number of schools in rural areas.

A media visit was organized in Katcha Villages to highlight the educational efforts done by Engro Fertilizers in Katcha Area. The visit was also attended by Administration Manager, Azhar Malik along with CSR Manager Dr Sadoro Keeriyo.

While briefing the media persons, Azhar Malik Administration Manager, Engro Fertilizers informed that Engro Foundation aims to realize the dreams of our people to make a difference in the lives of those around us and in our value chain. “At Engro, we believe in the power of Pakistan’s human capital to change the face of communities and economies and make them agents of a wider change”, he added.

Some 13 schools were equipped with latest technology of computer, construction of computer lab and other related materials. The schools and other schemes were inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner, Ghotki and Assistant Commissioner, Daharki last year.

During the briefing to the media it was highlighted that Engro Fertilizers has established computer labs in the 13 schools along with 68 laptops and computers. The villages that schools and schemes were visited consisted of Noor Mohammad School, Tando Lakhan and Noor Lakhan.

“Engro is committed to improving the quality of education available to Pakistan’s children, particularly primary education”, he said and added that over the years, Engro has developed a strong partnership with organizations such as The Citizens Foundation, sponsoring their efforts to both raise standards and make education more widely available.

Azhar informed that with the creation of Engro Foundation, however, the company is in a position to directly begin to impact the education system. Engro has initiated a Government School Adoption program. Engro Foundation has adopted a number of government schools. School Adoption program is running in different geographies where Engro businesses operate. This includes areas in Karachi, Sukkur, Ghotki, and Sahiwal districts.

With the support of the Sindh education department, Engro currently sponsors 10 schools with a combined enrollment of over 1,600 students in the Daharki and Qadirpur regions, he added.

He said that Engro is also helping to spread the enlightenment of education to areas hitherto completely un-served by even the most rudimentary of schools and Katcha school program is the only education program being run in the area.

Katcha areas pose unique challenges which make running primary schools far more challenging than in any other geography. Challenges include access as the area does not have roads and gets inundated every year, availability of teachers as people are rarely literate, and law and order situation, as the area is safe haven for outlaws due to its inaccessibility.

In the Katcha region, Engro supports 11 schools with a combined enrolment of 1,250 students to provide high quality education. Each one of those children receives a quality education at absolutely no cost to their families, he informed.

Azhar said that no school, however, will amount to much without qualified teachers and to provide qualified teachers to schools, Engro has sponsored a Training and Resource Centre (TARC) for teachers working at schools supported by our partner NGOs.

All said, Engro spent Rs 15.9 million on its efforts in education in the financial year 2010. At a total of 24 schools, Engro sponsors the education of 3,173 bright young minds who we hope will grow up to become the next generation of enlightened Pakistani leaders, he informed.

Speaking at the occasion, Manager CSR Dr Keeriyo, said that it is estimated that 70 percent of primary school children in Pakistan are unable to read a simple sentence as per grade level we hope that this program drives the change needed in service of Pakistan’s children”.

He informed that Engro Foundation also sponsors Sahara Community School in Daharki which is run by NGO managed by Engro Fertilizer employees voluntarily. Sahara school, a secondary level education center, is imparting quality education to 350 students from underprivileged neighborhood.

In addition, a Sahara Clinic is also being run inside the school. A qualified doctor is available there to provide heath facilities to the general masses. With a token fee of Rs 50 is being charge as doctor fee, while all medicines are being providing completely free of cost, Dr Keeriyo informed.