The news
This week saw the inauguration ceremony of the newly built Kals Pajjay School in Kashmir, Pakistan.
The school build, a partnership between COSARAF Foundation and the Read Foundation, will address the education disparities in the region. The average literacy rate in Bagh District is 56.89%, with a female literacy rate of only 40.97%, meaning Bagh District trails behind many parts of AJK in educational indicators.
We were delighted to have Talib Zaman, Managing Director of our flagship partner in Pakistan, the Fahmida Begum Centre, attend the inauguration on behalf of the COSARAF Foundation.
Talib received the greatest Kashmiri hospitality during the inauguration and his visit and was accompanied by the acting CEO of the Read Foundation, Mr. Obaid Qureshi, the Chief Engineer of the construction department and the person behind the construction of this school and all the schools in the region.
It was a great experience for Talib to also meet with students, teachers, and the Read Foundation team.
With a capacity to educate 400 children annually, the school has a seismic-compliant three-story building spanning over 7,900 square feet. Featuring 13 specially designed classrooms, administrative offices, and essential amenities, it provides a conducive and inclusive learning environment for children from nursery to grades 1-8.
This commitment to educational excellence extends beyond the classroom, with a focus on promoting sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting and irrigation and solar-powered clean energy generation, addressing groundwater scarcity challenges while promoting ecological benefits.
This school will provide a quality education that fosters social, emotional and educational development in a child-friendly establishment. The impact of this rural school build includes providing a safe and supportive learning environment, relieving families of unattainable education expenses, and empowering children for a future of opportunities.
