The Role and Challenges of School Districts in Public Education

A school district is a local authority that manages public schools for elementary or secondary education in various nations. In North America, particularly in the United States, school districts are widespread and have a lot of influence over how schools function and what they teach. Each school district has an education board that decides on school policies and rules. The board members may be chosen by the people who live in the district, appointed by a higher power, or have another method of getting their position. The education board also hires a superintendent, who is the head of the school district and supervises the daily running of the schools. School districts have different funding sources, depending on the state laws and local situations. Most school districts can collect taxes from the people and businesses in their area, within certain limits set by the state. Some school districts may also receive money from the state or federal government, or from other sources like donations or grants. School districts vary in size and quality. Some school districts may have only one school, while others may have hundreds of schools. Some school districts may have high academic standards and performance, while others may struggle with low test scores and graduation rates. Some school districts may offer a range of programs and services for students, such as special education, gifted education, bilingual education, or extracurricular activities, while others may have limited options. School districts are often subject to legal challenges and controversies. Some of the issues that school districts may face include student rights, teacher rights, school funding, school choice, curriculum, discipline, segregation, discrimination, and accountability. School districts may have to deal with lawsuits from parents, students, teachers, or other parties who are unhappy with the school district’s policies or actions. School districts may also have to follow the rules and regulations of the state and federal government, which may change over time.

Each school district has an education board that sets the school policies and regulations. The board members may be chosen by the district residents, assigned by a higher power, or have another method of obtaining their role. The education board also employs a superintendent, who is the head of the school district and supervises the daily running of the schools.

School districts have various funding sources, depending on the state laws and local situations. Most school districts can tax the people and businesses in their area, within certain boundaries set by the state. Some school districts may also receive money from the state or federal government, or from other sources like donations or grants.

School districts differ in their scale and quality. Some school districts may run only one school, while others may operate hundreds of schools. Some school districts may excel in academic standards and performance, while others may face low test scores and graduation rates. Some school districts may provide a range of programs and services for students, such as special education, gifted education, bilingual education, or extracurricular activities, while others may have few options.

     School districts often face legal issues and disputes. Some of the problems that school districts may encounter include student rights, teacher rights, school funding, school choice, curriculum, discipline,segregation, discrimination, and accountability. School districts may have to handle lawsuits from parents, students, teachers, or other parties who are dissatisfied with the school district’s policies or actions.School districts may also have to comply with the rules and regulations of the state and federal government, which may vary over time.

BISE Sukkur

IBA Sukkur

School District Wikipedia 

#districtschools #pakistan #education #rural #photography #sigma85mm #school #students #teachers #nature #mountains #fields #culture #diversity #beauty #travel #explore #discover #learn #inspire

Protecting the Indus River Dolphins: A Call for Action

A recent meeting of Pakistani environmentalists and experts in Sukkur at the Indus River Dolphin Conservation Center, organised by WWF Pakistan, discussed the deaths of Indus River dolphins and urged for a complete ban on fishing in the dolphin reserve area. The meeting was prompted by the discovery of five dead dolphins last month, four of which were found near Rohri at the village of Ali Wahan. Three of the dead dolphins were females. Two of them were buried, while the other three were examined by WWF Pakistan conservationists Muhammad Imran, Liaqat Ali Khokhar, cetacean expert Francois Xavier Pelletier, and Sindh Wildlife Department staff. The examination revealed that the dolphins died from either net entanglement or chemical poisoning. Samples were collected for further testing and a report will be released after the analysis. Uzma Noureen, the project coordinator for the Indus River Dolphin Conservation Project (IRDCP), said that an action plan against the use of harmful chemicals will be developed once the samples are analysed. She also mentioned that a dolphin was rescued from the Nara Canal before the deaths were reported. Ghulam Mustafa Gopang, the district officer of the Sindh Fisheries Department, expressed his worry about the fishing practices and said that they need to be changed or improved. Taj Muhammad Sheikh, the deputy conservator of the wildlife department, demanded a ban on fishing in the dolphin reserve area. Abdul Sattar Saryo, the assistant engineer of the Irrigation Department, said that the department will offer any assistance to monitor the barrage gates, canals, and any other places where dolphins might be in trouble.  

     I appreciate that Pakistan is taking steps to protect its river dolphin population, but I think more needs to be done. This rare dolphin has lost 80% of its original habitat due to water scarcity, excessive use of agrochemicals in the river basin, and discharge of untreated wastewater. It has also suffered from illegal fishing methods that involve nets and poisons that kill the dolphins. These dolphins, along with their relatives the Ganges and Amazon River dolphins, are indicators of freshwater quality. They share their habitat with many other aquatic animals that depend on them. If these dolphins disappear, the whole ecosystem will be affected. That is why I strongly believe that serious measures should be taken to restore their populations. One way to do this is to raise awareness among the public about the status and importance of these dolphins. Another way is to educate the fishermen about the ecological role of these dolphins and how to avoid harming them. This way, the river dolphins can reclaim their ancestral range and thrive in their native rivers.

• How Pakistan Can Save Its Endangered River Dolphins
• The Plight of the Indus River Dolphins: Causes and Solutions
• Indus River Dolphins: A Rare Species Facing Multiple Threats
• Why Pakistan Needs to Ban Fishing in the Dolphin Reserve Area
• Protecting the Indus River Dolphins: A Call for Action

Source: 30/12/2023

Forest Department Government’s of Sindh Official

Website https://sindhforests.gov.pk

#SaveTheIndusDolphins

#IndusDolphinReserve

#BanFishingInDolphinArea

#ProtectTheRiverEcosystem

#DolphinsAreOurFriends

Nare Shala ناري شالا: A Historic and Progressive Institution for Girls’ Education and Empowerment

Nare Shala ناري شالا is an educational institution that was founded in 1933 by Devan Pasu Mal Bhagwandas Chandwani, a railway officer, in Old Sukkur. In the same year, he also opened Parmeshure Chandwani Girls High School opposite the Sukkur Post Office. These schools offer free training to widows, orphans, and poor girls in various skills, such as sewing, embroidery, handicrafts, soap making, planting, and other arts and crafts. The girls learn to work and think like designers and artists, with intelligence and creativity. The chairman of this organisation at that time was Rai Bahadur Kundan Das. The old buildings of the schools may need to be replaced with new ones soon. The new Government Primary Girls High School Sukkur has been constructed.

• Nare Shala ناري شالا
• Girls’ education and empowerment
• Free training in arts and crafts
• Historic and progressive institution
• Old Sukkur schools

Article Author Syed Imdad Hussain Shah Rizvi Kotai’s 

Mohenjo Daro: The Mound of the Dead Men

Mohenjo Daro: A Glimpse into the Past of Pakistan.

Mohenjo-daro Sindhi: موهن جو دڙو‎ Urdu: موئن جو دڑو Mound of the Dead Men Mohenjo Daro is an ancient city located in present-day Pakistan. It was built around 2500 B.C. on the flood plains of the Indus in what is now Pakistan. The city’s well-planned street grid and elaborate drainage system hint that its inhabitants were skilled urban planners with a reverence for the control of water.

      The city’s wealth and stature is evident in artefacts such as ivory, lapis, carnelian, and gold beads, as well as the baked-brick city structures themselves.  The city’s occupants were apparently modest, orderly, and clean, and preferred standardisation in pottery and tools of copper and stone. Seals and weights suggest a system of tightly controlled trade. The city lacked ostentatious palaces, temples, or monuments, and there was no obvious central seat of government or evidence of a king or queen. 

 A stone statue of a man with a beard and a circular headpiece, wearing a cloak with a distinctive design Ajrak, identified as the Priest-King from the ruined city of Mohenjo-daro in the Indus Valley Civilization

    The city’s decline remains a puzzle, but some experts believe that climate change and environmental degradation may have played a role.

     It is worth noting that Mohenjo Daro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered among the best preserved urban settlements in South Asia.

      Mohenjo Daro, an ancient city located in present-day Pakistan, was built around 2500 B.C. on the flood plains of the Indus River. It was the largest city of the Indus Civilisation and is believed to have thrived for a thousand years, profiting from trade and engineering feats like the Great Bath.

 The city’s well-planned street grid and elaborate drainage system hint that its inhabitants were skilled urban planners with a reverence for the control of water. The city’s wealth and stature is evident in artefacts such as ivory, lapis, carnelian, and gold beads, as well as the baked-brick city structures themselves. 

     The city’s occupants were apparently modest, orderly, and clean, and preferred standardisation in pottery and tools of copper and stone. Seals and weights suggest a system of tightly controlled trade.

     The city lacked ostentatious palaces, temples, or monuments, and there was no obvious central seat of government or evidence of a king or queen The city’s decline remains a puzzle, but some experts believe that climate change and environmental degradation may have played a role

• Mohenjo Daro: The Ancient City of the Indus Civilisation
• Mohenjo Daro: A Glimpse into the Past of Pakistan
• Mohenjo Daro: The Mound of the Dead Men
• Mohenjo Daro: A Testament to the Ingenuity of the Indus Valley Civilisation

How to get and do in Mohenjo Daro

 Is approximately 30 kilometre’s away from the nearest major city, Larkana.  The easiest way to get to Mohenjo Daro is by taking a direct flight from Sukkur Airport to Mohenjo Daro Airport.

Alternatively, you can drive along the Indus Highway between Karachi and Peshawar. Rohri / Sukkur Toll Plaza M5 Sukkur Hyderabad Motoways , The distance between Rohri and Mohenjo Daro is approximately 85.06 kilometres or 52.85 miles.Once you arrive at Mohenjo Daro. 

Sukkur Airport

 Sukkur Airport (IATA: SKZ, ICAO: OPSK), also known as Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport Sukkur, is a domestic airport located in Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a medium-sized airport located about 8 km (5.0 mi) from the center of Sukkur and serves Sukkur and its surrounding areas; Khairpur, Jacobabad, Sibi, and Shikarpur. Officially Site is. https://www.piac.com.pk/

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

The Rise and Fall of Rohri Cement Factory: A Historical Case Study

Rohri Cement Factory

      A Historical Industrial Site in Sindh Rohri Cement Factory is one of the oldest and largest cement plants in Pakistan. Located in Rohri, a city in the Sukkur District of Sindh Province, the factory was established in 1938 by Associated Cement Companies, a Bombay-based company that owned several cement plants in India and Pakistan.

Cement Factory Rohri’s 

Rohri’s Cement Factory 

The factory was designed and supplied by F.L. Smith, a Danish engineering company that specialized in cement production equipment¹. The factory had a capacity of producing 200 tons of cement per day, using the wet process method¹. The factory used locally available limestone, clay, and gypsum as raw materials, and coal as fuel.

     The factory played a significant role in the industrial development of the region, as well as the construction of various infrastructure projects in Pakistan. The factory supplied cement for the Sukkur Barrage, the Kotri Barrage, the Mangla Dam, the Tarbela Dam, and the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant, among others.

     The factory also provided employment and livelihood opportunities for thousands of workers and their families. The factory had its own residential colony, hospital, school, mosque, and recreational facilities for its staff and workers². The factory also supported various social and cultural activities in the area, such as sports, festivals, and community service.

     However, the factory faced several challenges and difficulties over the years, such as political instability, labor unrest, environmental issues, and technological obsolescence. The factory gradually lost its competitiveness and profitability, as newer and more efficient cement plants emerged in the market³. The factory also suffered from frequent breakdowns, power outages, and maintenance problems.

In 1996, the factory was privatised and sold to a consortium of local investors, who renamed it as Rohri Cement (Private) Limited. The new owners tried to revive the factory by investing in modernisation and expansion projects, but they failed to achieve the desired results. The factory eventually ceased its operations in 2008, and was declared as a sick industrial unit by the government.

      Today , the factory stands as a silent witness to the history and heritage of the cement industry in Pakistan. The factory is still owned by Rohri Cement (Private) Limited, but it is not operational and is in a state of decay.The factory's buildings, machinery, and equipment are rusting and deteriorating, and some of them have been vandalised or stolen.

     The factory's fate is uncertain, as there are no clear plans or proposals for its preservation or restoration. Some of the factory's former employees and local residents have expressed their concerns and hopes for the factory's future, and have urged the authorities and the owners to take some action to save the factory from further damage and destruction.

     The factory is not only a valuable industrial asset, but also a cultural and historical landmark that deserves to be protected and conserved. The factory represents the legacy and contribution of the cement industry to the development and progress of Pakistan, as well as the memories and experiences of the people who worked and lived there. The factory is a part of the identity and heritage of Rohri, Sukkur, and Sindh, and it should be recognised and respected as such.

I hope you liked the article. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please let me know. 

• Rohri Cement Factory
• Historical Industrial Site
• Cement Industry in Pakistan
• Industrial Heritage and Preservation
• Challenges and Opportunities of Reviving Sick Industrial Units

Rohri Cement Factory is an old and large cement plant in Pakistan that was established in 1938 by a Bombay-based company. The factory used the wet process method to produce cement, and supplied cement for various infrastructure projects in Pakistan. The factory also had its own residential colony and social facilities for its workers and staff. However, the factory faced many problems and challenges, and stopped its operations in 2008. The factory is now in a state of decay and neglect, and its future is uncertain

Rohri Cement Private Limited

Head Office: 405, 4th Floor, Panorama Centre, Building No.2, Doctor Plaza, Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan Road, Saddar -Karachi.

Phone # +92-21-36450684

E-mail: info@rohricement.com

Factory: Rohri, Sukkur, Pakistan.

Phone # +92-71-650111

Sukkur Board of Education: What You Need to Know

Sukkur Board of Education: A Brief Overview

The Sukkur board of education, officially known as the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Sukkur (BISE Sukkur), is an autonomous body that oversees the secondary and higher secondary examinations in the Sukkur region of Sindh, Pakistan. The board was established in 1979 under the provision of the Ordinance No. IX of 1976¹. The board's jurisdiction covers four districts: Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, and Naushahro Feroze.

     The board's mission is to ensure transparent, fair, and quality education for the students of the region. The board conducts annual and supplementary examinations for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) levels, as well as technical and vocational courses. The board also grants affiliation to public and private schools and colleges, prescribes curricula and textbooks, and issues certificates and diplomas to the successful candidates.

     The board has a chairman, who is the chief executive and academic officer of the board, and a secretary, who is the administrative head of the board. The board also has various committees, such as academic, finance, appointment, and discipline committees, to assist the board in its functions. The board has a staff of about 300 employees, including controllers, deputy controllers, assistant controllers, superintendents, and clerks.

     The board's main office is located at Military Road, Sukkur. The board also has a website, where students can access information about the board's policies, rules, regulations, notifications, date sheets, results, and online services. The board also has a Facebook page, Board Of Intermediate & Secondary Education Sukkur, Sindh - Bise Sukkur. where it posts updates and announcements about the board's activities.

     The board strives to improve the standard of education in the Sukkur region by providing a conducive environment for learning and assessment. The board also aims to promote the values of honesty, integrity, and excellence among the students and the staff. The board hopes to contribute to the socio-economic development of the region and the country by producing well-educated and skilled citizens.

The main office of the Sukkur board of education

Source:

• BISE Sukkur
• Secondary and higher secondary examinations
• Sukkur region of Sindh, Pakistan
• Autonomous body established in 1979

#Sukkur, #Education, #Ghotki, #Khairpur, #Naushahro_Feroze,#Pakistan

Ajrak: The Ancient Art of Block-Printing and the Pride of Sindhi Culture

Sindhi Ajrak is a traditional textile art form that originated in the Sindh province of Pakistan and is also practiced in parts of India. It is a type of block-printing that uses stamps to create intricate patterns and designs on fabric, usually cotton or silk. The colors used are mainly deep indigo, rich crimson, white and black, which symbolize the elements of nature: sky, earth, water and fire. Ajrak is more than just a cloth; it is a cultural icon of Sindhi identity and heritage, and a sign of respect and hospitality. Ajrak is worn by both men and women, as shawls, turbans, dresses, scarves or dupattas. It is also used as a decorative item, such as a tablecloth, a wall hanging or a bedspread.

Sindhi Ajrak

     The word ajrak (اجرڪ) comes from the Persian words ajar or ajor (اجر), meaning brick, and -ak (ک), meaning little. This refers to the small brick-like patterns that are common in ajrak prints. The history of ajrak can be traced back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished in the region around 2500 BCE. A bust of a priest-king excavated at Mohenjo-daro, one of the major cities of the civilization, shows him wearing a garment with a trefoil pattern similar to ajrak. The same pattern has been found on objects from Mesopotamia and Egypt, indicating a possible cultural exchange. Ajrak has been preserved and passed down through generations of Sindhi artisans, who have refined and perfected the craft over time.

     The process of making ajrak is complex and labor-intensive, involving several steps of washing, dyeing, printing and drying. The fabric is first washed with a mixture of soda ash and castor oil to remove any impurities and make it soft and absorbent. Then, it is dyed with natural dyes derived from plants, minerals and insects. The most important dye is indigo, which gives the characteristic blue color to ajrak. Indigo dyeing requires a special fermentation process, in which the indigo leaves are soaked in water and lime for several days, and then the fabric is dipped and oxidized in the solution. The other dye is madder, which gives the red color to ajrak. Madder dyeing involves boiling the fabric with madder roots and alum. The white color is achieved by using a resist paste made of lime and gum arabic, which prevents the dye from penetrating the fabric. The black color is obtained by mixing iron filings and jaggery, which react with the indigo and madder dyes.

     The printing of ajrak is done by hand, using wooden blocks that are carved with intricate designs. The blocks are dipped in the dye or the resist paste, and then stamped on the fabric with precision and skill. The printing is done in multiple layers, with each layer requiring a different block and a different color. The printing process can take up to 15 days, depending on the complexity of the design and the number of colors. The final step is drying the fabric in the sun, which fixes the colors and enhances their brightness.

     Ajrak is a unique and beautiful art form that reflects the rich and diverse culture of Sindh. It is a symbol of pride, dignity and honor for the Sindhi people, who cherish and celebrate it on various occasions. Ajrak is also a source of livelihood and empowerment for many artisans, who continue to practice and promote this ancient craft in the modern world. Ajrak is not just a cloth; it is a way of life.

Sindhi Cultural Day: A Tribute to the Land of the Indus

Sindhi Cultural Day: A Tribute to the Land of the Indus

The History and Significance of Sindhi Cultural Day

Sindhi Cultural Day: A Day to Showcase Sindhi Art and Music

Sindhi Cultural Day: A Festival of Colors and Joy

Sindhi Cultural Day: How Sindhi People Preserve Their Identity and Heritage

Source: Happy Sindhi Cultural Day! 

#sindhi #ajrak #sindhiculture #blockprinting #naturaldye #indusvalley #culturalheritage #textileart #handmade #sustainablefashion