The Journey

Agaahi, a student-led initiative, focused on enhancing the skill of the support staff of BCP Gulberg. For this purpose, students collected the data on the literacy level of all the support staff, which included office, lab, janitorial and security staff. The students got together to design a curriculum for them which included Mathematics, Urdu, English and Personal enhancement. Then the students looked for volunteers, who would be ready and are willing to teach. Students potential to teach was also a major consideration. A team of around eighteen students was selected. Three students were made coordinators for smooth execution. The syllabus was made in collaboration and students contributed for the books, notebooks and stationery items for their students.

The next job was to make a schedule so that all the support staff can take their classes along with their duties.

The support staff was divided into two categories A and B. Category A comprised of the students who were literate enough to read and write. The other category B was for the beginners. Both the groups were taught according to their academic level.

Today, the project is being conducted annually by the student body which has proved to be an excellent investment for both students and the staff members.

The school supported the initiative from beginning to end by sharing resources, supporting the curriculum development and reaching out to the support staff and continues to do so.

The aim of the project was to include the support staff in the academic cycle and to enhance their capabilities by teaching them important skills munch needed for today. After the first session, a drastic change in the persona and work of the support staff was observed by all. The project at one end made students a responsible part of the society, where they not only taught the curriculum but made it and on the other end, enhanced communication and life skills of our staff members, which helped them to excel in both; their personal and professional life.

Key Learnings

The project proved to be an obvious success for both students and staff members. One of the staff members M. Naseem, after Agaahi, decided to continue his studies and is currently doing B.A. Two office boys, M. Nadeem and Majid Ali were promoted as Lab Staff members and our former lady searcher, Saira Naseem was promoted as an office staff member. Also, most of our student volunteers are now placed in renowned local and foreign universities like McGill, Jacobs, Sabanci, Bilgi, LUMS, IBA, NUST and FAST. The project is currently benefitting the current students who are working on the same pattern designed by their seniors and hence building their profiles on community service.