press releases
USAID Restarting Schools In Earthquake Region
03/12/2006Islamabad – As part of a cash-for-work program, 228 schools in Poonch District now have temporary classroom space and new books, bags, desks and chairs for their 36,000 students. The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
To restore safe classroom space destroyed by the October 8 earthquake and enable students to return to normal routines while schools prepare for reconstruction, USAID paid local villagers to clear rubble from school sites, provided tents as temporary classroom space, and funded classroom furnishings -- new blackboards, desks, chairs, books and bags.
The Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN), a USAID implementing partner, worked with education officials in selecting school sites in six districts and facilitated the election of a local management committee in each school to foster community involvement. Village residents who participated in rubble-clearing and tent-erecting project received a daily wage of 200 rupees, cash they then spend to boost the local economy.
School officials say the program provides far more than much-needed classroom space and supplies: it also boosts the confidence of children haunted by fears of another disaster. Until they moved into tents, many students were scared to sit in damaged classrooms, said the headmaster of the Pak Gali Boys High School in Poonch District, one of the first schools to inaugurate the new tents. "Children focus better when they perceive no threat to their world. They now see safe structures, desks and furniture. They have begun to complete their homework again and to come to school on time."
An eight grader said he liked the new tents at Pak Gali. "There's no danger here. We can study in peace." The father of three Pak Gali students said his kids were happy to go to school again because they had a safe place to sit. "This is a very good program. Our school routine is getting back to normal."
The United States, through USAID, is providing more than $1.5 billion in development assistance to Pakistan over the next five years to improve education, health, governance and economic growth. In addition, the United States has pledged a total of $510 million in earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts to assist the people of Pakistan and to support Pakistani government relief and reconstruction efforts.