newsletter june 2009

For latest news visit: www.kef.blogspot.com

KEF UK:

370 Thornton Road, Whetley Mills Bradford,

Bd9 4GB, UK. Tel: +44 1274 549970

Fax: +44 1274549979 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.kefuk.org

KEF UK:

KEF Inc., P.O. Box No. 1894,

Douglasville, Georgia,

U.S.A. 30133.

KASHMIR EDUCATIONFOUNDATION

KEF Head Office:

150 Peshawar Road, Westridge I, Rawalpindi - Pakistan. Tel / Fax: +92-51-548 1763

Email: [email protected] Website: www.kefintl.org.pk



NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERJuly 2008 - June 2009July 2008 - June 2009July 2008 - June 2009

Special Points ofInterests:

New Chairman takes over

KEF's IDP Relief Programme

Farewell to Principal, PVPS

KEF's Third School at Banjosa

Graduation Day at ITE

In This Issue:Kef Head Office 2

Pearl Valley Public School 4

Soan Valley Public School 5

Banjosa Valley Public School 7

Institute of Teachers Training 8

Kef UK 9

KEF USA / Canada 10

Article by John Bate 11

Chairman's Message 12

Pakistan-Azad Kashmir

KEF Head Office

Changes in the Management

Chairman:

CEO:

BOT Meetings:

The Founder Chairman of KEF, Maj. Gen. (R) M. Rahim Khan relinquished the post of

thChairman on 11 May, 2009 after 15 years of meritorious work. He will continue to be a Trustee on the KEF's Board. Vice Admiral (R) Farooq Rashid took over as Chairman from the same date.

The new Chairman, all Trustees, staff and students of KEF thank Maj. Gen. (R) M. Rahim Khan for his dedication and devotion with which he steered KEF with a vision for better future of the country's youth. We wish Maj. Gen. (R) M. Rahim Khan good health and hope that he would continue to guide us and contribute to KEF activities.

All Trustees, staff and students of KEF extend a warm welcome and full support to Vice Admiral (R) Farooq Rashid, who had been extremely active in KEF affairs as its Vice Chairman.

Brig. (R) Amjad Javaid assumed the appointment of CEO with effect from nd

2 March, 2009.

st nd th21 & 22 Board of Trustees (BOT) Meetings were held on 12 July,

th2008 and 7 Feb, 2009 respectively during the period under review.

Mr. Mohabat Hussain and Mr. Zulfikar Karim, Trustees KEF-UK, visited KEF st thHead Office and all its institutions from 1 May to 6 May, 2009. Besides

attending Banjosa Valley Public Schools' (BVPS) opening ceremony, they had a meeting with the Chairman and available Trustees at KEF HO.

A four member study group from an organisation named “Voices for thCreative Non-Violence”, Chicago, USA, visited the HO on 4 June, 2009.

They were briefed at HO about KEF activities. Later they visited an IDP concentration near Islamabad to see KEF's relief initiative. The group praised KEF efforts.

A four member study group of IEF (International Education Fund) students from Imperial College, London, led by their Chairman, Mr. Adeel Iqbal

th thvisited KEF-HO, PVPS and BVPS from 24 to 27 June, 2009. The purpose of their visit was to explore areas of cooperation between KEF & IEF. They were highly impressed by the standard of KEF's institutions and activities.

Visits:

Kashmir Education FoundationNewsletter: July 08 - June 09

2

KEF thanks them for their donation for the IDPs.

Serendip Productions have joined KEF as its “Media Partner”. They would provide media support to

KEF and produce all its publicity material on voluntary basis. KEF appreciates their noble gesture with a

big THANK YOU.

Azfar Law Associates have agreed to provide pro bono legal services to this Foundation. We are grateful

to Mr. Azim Azfar, the Counsel of Azfar Law Associates, for his voluntary support to promote the vision

and cause of KEF.

Having carried out relief activities in 2005 in the earth quake zone,

KEF is once again engaged in assisting unfortunate IDPs since May

2009, by providing rations and miscellaneous items to the IDPs in

Islamabad and Abbotabad areas. We are pleased that our modest IDP

Relief Programme is successfully assisting the displaced families. We

have so far assisted 1113 most vulnerable families (8,239 people). A

very big Thank You to all the friends of KEF, who supported in cash

and kind.

The students of KEF schools also actively took part in the KEF's IDP

Relief Programme by donating cash and necessary items for the Swat

affectees. We thank the students, staff and Principal for their generous

support.

The Principal SVPS and Director ITE visited UK for Leadership and rd rdManagerial Course from February 23 to March 23 , 2009. They also

visited KEF-UK Head Office in Bradford and different educational

institutions. The visit was organised by Ms. Gina Menon, a VSO

volunteer at the ITE.

Media Partner:

Legal Advisor

Relief Work for IDPs

Contributions by Students

Visit to UK by Director ITE & Principal SVPS


3

Results

Annual Day

Exchange Visits

The Pearl Valley Public School & College has once again excelled in its Matric (Class-X) Exams by achieving VIII position in Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Examination. Out of 17 students, 13 secured A+, 3 secured A and 1 secured B. The result of class IX exams was also commendable. Out of 15 students, 8 secured A+ & 5 secured B+. This has been possible due to the students' interest in attending the Winter Camp organised from 14th Jan to 28th Feb, 2009.

PVPS celebrated their Annual Day on 8th November, 2008. Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, Prime Minister of AJK was the Chief Guest. The ceremony included an impressive variety show followed by

prize distribution and beautiful skits/ presentations. The Prime Minister announced a donation of Rs. 1 Million for the school and also directed that the road leading to school be constructed. Students of PVPS presented a cheque of Rs. 50,000 for the affectees of Balochistan floods.

As a part of Global School Partnership Programme, two students, Haider Ali Raja and Ayesha Salim of class 9th visited Acklam Grange School and Valentines High School (UK) for a period of four weeks. The visit provided them a rare opportunity to interact with the teachers and students of these schools. Their visit also got an exclusive coverage in the British press. Our thanks go to all those who organised the visits and oversaw the program especially Mrs. S V Jones, Principal VHS and Mr. John Bates, Principal Acklam Grange School. Both students thank the schools for extending a warm hospitality during their visit.


Pearl Valley Public School & College (PVPS)Excel to Serve

4

Extra-Curricular Activities

Farewell

The pearls of PVPS actively participated in extra curricular activities like quiz, poetry and sports competitions. Debate competition was also held on 16th Aug, 2008 between classes 4-10. To create awareness & highlight the importance of United Nation's (UN) days, the cleanliness and plantation day was observed by all the students in March, 2009.

Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Raja Aftab Iqbal relinquished the Principal's office on 1st June, 2009 after serving for over four years. He was bid farewell by the PVPS staff and KEF Head Office, separately. The Chairman, available trustees, heads of the institutions and CEO attended the farewell at the Head Office. Ms. Saira Said Ahmed has assumed the charge of A/Principal since then.


Soan Valley Public School has now stepped in to the fifth year with over 220 students. Its end result is no doubt an intellectual capital which can easily be compared with the students of any renowned school. To enhance the student's learning and thinking skills, Design and Technology Day was observed in which students displayed their creativity in art, design and project making. Literacy Day activities included both Urdu and English Language contests like quiz, debates and creative scripts to develop creative skills in numerals and literacy.

Soan Valley Public School (SVPS)Excel to Serve

5

Visits

Students' Council

Sports Gala

Spring Festival

Students of class Prep & One visited Japanese Park & zoo

in F-6, Islamabad, while classes from II to IV visited

Railway Museum at Golra Railway Junction. The students

also visited Pakistan Monument, Islamabad.

Ms. Kaukab Ara Nasir, Principal SVPS, attended a three

days SPELT (Society of Pakistan English Language

Teachers) conference at Fatima Jinnah University,

Rawalpindi in October, 2008.

In line with KEF's policy to maintain a uniform teaching

standard in all the schools, teachers from SVPS attended

three Professional Development Programmes during the

period under review, along with the academic staff of

other three schools.

Students of class V participated in CDA Tree Plantation

Drive, which was held on 11th February, 2009 where

Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza,

inaugurated the event. All the students participated with

enthusiasm by planting a tree each. Soan Valley

representative also helped Dr. Fehmida Mirza while

planting.

A Students' Council has been formed consisting of twenty

five members. President and Captain are from 5th class,

four Vice Captains and members are from each class. The

aim is to develop the talent of our pupils through a wide

programme of learning experiences and opportunities.

Sports Gala was held on 14th April, 2009 in which all

students participated with great enthusiasm.

Spring festival was celebrated on 17th April, 2009. This

colorful event helped in improving the learning about

colors, types of flowers, plants, their uses and lot more.


6


After completion of an arduous construction activity, the third school of KEF, Banjosa Valley Public School (BVPS) commenced its classes on 24th March, 2009. Two classes (Prep & One) comprising two sections each (A&B) are in session, with a total strength of 104 students.

To honor the donors, an inaugural ceremony was held on 3rd May, 2009. In this simple, but colorful and impressive ceremony, Mr. Hasan Askari (UK) and Mr. George Goulding (Hong Kong) were the Chief Guests, while Mr. Mohabat Hussain and Mr. Zulfikar Karim, Trustees KEF-UK also attended the ceremony. The Chairman, all available Trustees and notables /

Government officials attended the ceremony and appreciated the excellent progress of children in first five weeks. During his address, Mr. George Goulding recited the English version of a short Chinese poem as an inspiration for the new entrants of BVPS.

Opening Ceremony

"The midday sun slips behind the mountains

The yellow river turns for the sea

Trying to see for a thousand miles

I climb one storey higher” “Climbing White Stork Tower”

By Wang Zhi Huang (688-742)

The event also received a comprehensive coverage in the local press of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Besides, numerous KEF friends and all those who made it possible, KEF also acknowledges the efforts of Mr. Tariq Habib Khan, Mr. Asif Habib Khan and Mr. Zakir Habib Khan for devoting their precious time and valuable contributions towards completion of BVPS.

Special thanks are due to Mr. Asif Habib Khan, Trustee KEF for managing the school in the absence of its Principal for the first two months and setting its pace as per KEF standards.

Banjosa Valley Public School (BVPS)Excel to Serve

7


Institute of Teachers Education (ITE)For the intellectual development of the students, Diploma 6 & 7 graduates visited the historical sites and other places of interest in Lahore. They visited Ali Institute of Education & Provincial Institute of Teacher Education (PITE) for insights of teaching skills.

thThe Diploma Graduation Day for PGDC-07 was celebrated on 18 December, 2008. This was the first batch, who were awarded diploma, affiliated with Bahria University. Rear Admiral Shahid Latif, Rector Bahria University was the Chief Guest.

ITE conducted regular workshops for capacity building of KEF schools' faculty. A five days workshop was also conducted for teachers of Muslim Hands Organisation covering diverse aspects of interactive ways of teaching, child psychology, planning, classroom management etc.

A workshop on phonics was conducted for PGDC-07 students, SVPS teachers and teachers from Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (PODA) in March, 2009. The Director ITE, Mrs. Ayesha Kamran conducted one day workshop for the teachers of Bari Foundation, Islamabad, on

st“Essentials of Classroom Teaching” on March 31 , 2009.

Graduation Day

Workshops

Extra-Curricular ActivitiesThe students of class One went to the Banjosa Lake and

cleaned the surroundings as a Social Studies project. This

activity was extremely appreciated by the parents and

local community.

The school is moving towards achieving the KEF

standards/ goals by enabling the youth with more

confidence to meet the future challenges faced by this

country in the fast changing global environment.

8


KEF-UKFund Raising ActivitiesThe 2008 Annual Gala was hosted by KEF at the Bradford Hilton. Dr. Alison Scott Baumann was the Chief Guest. Chairman KEF-UK, Mr. Mussadik Hussain, highlighted the achievements of KEF and thanked everybody for their unwavering generosity. As usual the event was well attended by the local community from Bradford and surrounding areas.

The dinner was attended by the then Chairman KEF-Pakistan, Maj. Gen (R) M. Rahim Khan, Mr. Asif Habib Khan and present Chairman KEF- Pakistan, Vice Admiral (R) Farooq Rashid, who flew in specially from Pakistan for this function. Gen. Rahim in his farewell speech addressed the gathering and introduced Vice Admiral (R) Farooq Rashid as the next Chairman of KEF-Pakistan.

A team of KEF-UK Trustees also attended an Annual Fund Raising Dinner hosted by Muslim Care in London. The KEF Trustees along with other supporters also attended the Fund Raising event organised

by READ Foundation at Midland Hotel, Bradford on th

17 January, 2009

KEF-UK is continuously working hard on its fund raising activities. Pakistan International Foundation (PIF) and KEF-UK have agreed to jointly organise a pilot fund raising initiative during the month of Ramadan in 2009. KEF-UK Trustee traveled to Glasgow to meet Mr. Ghulam Sarwar MP on 12th of April 2009 to continue the dialogue with PIF.

Mr. Abbas Hussain, a renowned educationist from Teachers Development Centre, Karachi, conducted two hours session on “Effective Teaching” for ITE & SVPS staff, students of PGDC-07 for professional development. The Chairman KEF and CEO also attended the session.

th thTwo courses of one months' duration each were conducted simultaneously from June 15 to July 15 , 2009 on Basic English Language and Basic Computer for local school teachers and students.

ITE has plans to offer following three Programmes in the near future:a. Basic Certificate Course in Education (BCCE). KEF-ITE Internal Certificateb. Basic Diploma Course in Education (BDCE)c. Bachelors in Education (B. Ed)

Ms. Gina Menon, a VSO volunteer left for UK after completion of her tenure. KEF thanks her for her valuable contributions at ITE and wish her well in her future pursuits.

VSO

9


Meeting with British “Friends of Kashmir”

Collaboration with IEF (International Education Fund)

Nomination of Trustees for KEF-UK Board

On 28th February 2009, Mr. Abdul Qayyum along with Javed Ashraf met Mr. Ghulam Nabi, Chairman, British Friends of Kashmir in Sheffield to explore possibilities for cooperation. Mr. Ghulam Nabi's organisation is involved in providing general facilities to government schools in Kotli District of AJ&K.

A meeting was held between International Education Fund (IEF) and KEF-UK Board to explore the benefits of any collaboration. IEF has been set up by the student body of prestigious Imperial College, London and has the patronage of eminent professors of different universities. It has offered collaboration with the aim of enhancing the education and resources in KEF schools.

On 4th of March 2009, Mrs. Iffat Ferdinand attended the launch ceremony of the IEF in the House of Lords. The event was hosted by the Right Honorable Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and included keynote speeches from Professor Geoffrey Garnett, Mr. Abid Hussain LLB, Dr. Z U Khan and Professor Sir Roy Anderson, Rector of Imperial College, London. This collaboration with IEF is being coordinated by Mrs. Iffat Ferdinand (Trustee KEF-UK) and Mr. Adeel (Chairman IEF, student at Imperial College) and has resulted in a visit to KEF-Pakistan by a four member IEF team during June 2009.

Vice Admiral (R) Farooq Rashid, Chairman KEF-Pakistan and Mr. Nadim Shafiqullah, Trustee KEF- Pakistan have been inducted as members of KEF UK Board.

KEF USA-Canada Chapters

Major Gen. (R) M. Rahim Khan, the founder Chairman of KEF and Mr. Asif Habib Khan, Trustee, visited USA and Canada in Oct/ Nov 2008 to activate KEF-USA, which has been registered since 2002. Legal formalities were progressed during their visit and KEF Chapters were set up in New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and Illinois.

10


The registration process has been initiated in Canada as KEF- CANADA.After activation of these two organizations, we expect to have major fund raising events for KEF in USA and Canada.We would appreciate friends and supporters to assist our cause.

At Acklam Grange School, we recognise that our pupils are the best ambassadors for our school within our local and wider community. They are proud of their school and want to achieve and make their community a better place.

My greatest memory of the visit is the same sense of pride which Haider and Ayesha showed about their own school and community and also the ambitions which they have to achieve and give back to their community the benefits of their education.

We were enthralled by two articulate, intelligent and very positive young people who impressed everyone who met them. In such a short time they were given the opportunities to experience many aspects of the lives of pupils in our school, both at work and at play. They made many friends, visited museums, the fire service, premier league football matches, met the town mayor and so much more.

They also took part in lessons and used the technologies which our pupils use as part of their school work.

I shall always remember the considered and insightful powerpoint which compared and contrasted their own and our pupil's experiences at school. Whilst details were different they focused on the similarities:

"An ethos of student achievement and high standards "A commitment to community cohesion for all people "An optimistic view on life and what hard work and endeavour can achieve.

Their end of school report for Acklam Grange is that "they became part of our community and were the proud ambassadors from Pearl Valley. We shall always cherish their visit and look forward to the next step."

John Bate, Head Teacher of Acklam Grange School in Middlesbrough UK, writes:

11

MESSAGE ON TAKING OVERAS CHAIRMAN-KEF PAKISTAN

By Vice Admiral (Retired) Farooq Rashid, HI (M), S.Bt

took over as Chairman Kashmir Education Foundation (KEF) on 11th May 2009. For me, it is both an honour and privilege to be a part of an organization with such a noble vision and immaculate legacy. I am thankful I

to the Trustees for reposing trust in me and I pray to Almighty to grant me wisdom and strength to perform my duty.

On this occasion, I bid farewell to Major General (Retired) M. Rahim Khan, the outgoing and founding Chairman of KEF of 15 years. While bidding him farewell, I also congratulate him on his wholehearted contribution towards the cause of KEF and education in Pakistan. During his tenure as Chairman, General Rahim assisted by the founding Trustees not only raised KEF from the ground but ensured that most of the stretching targets formulated at the onset by the founding Trustees, were achieved. But while he has stepped down from his position as Chairman KEF, General Rahim continues to be a Trustee of KEF and I look forward to his continued guidance and support for many years to come.

We have dedicated ourselves to a noble cause which is extremely challenging under the current socio-economic environment. I, therefore, look forward to your continued support and valuable inputs to steer this excellent organization towards attaining its mission. I will be looking forward to receiving ideas, support and cooperation from all the trustees, donors and members of the KEF family in Pakistan, UK and USA in all future ventures. KEF has enjoyed much success in the previous years and we look forward to greater achievements for the Foundation in 2009/10.

May Almighty grant us success in our future endeavours.

newsletter june 2009

Documents

kef uk

kef ho

students of kef

kef activities

kef ief

kef efforts

kef affairs

kef thanks