Karachi University rally against Israel

Students and teachers rally against Israel
Karachi, Jan 14: Hundreds of students and teachers of Karachi University (KU) on Tuesday took out a peaceful rally against the ongoing relentless and barbaric Israeli terrorism on helpless women, children and elderly Palestinians from KU Administration Block to KU Silver Jubilee Gate.

Students and teachers chanted slogans against the Israeli aggression and USA, including "Death to Israel" and "Death to USA." They were carrying placards inscribed with the anti-American and Israeli slogans. Some placards were inscribed with harsh words for President Bush.

Some speakers in the rally denounced the western apathetic behaviour towards Israeli aggression, killing more than 1000 helpless Palestinians including 400 children.

Karachi University Students' Alliance organised the rally in collaboration with Karachi University Teachers' Society (KUTS) to raise the voice against the barbaric Israeli bombing on Gaza and feeble Palestinians. It is pertinent to mention here that it is the 18th day of violence in the Middle East and Pakistani youth are condemning Israel countrywide. The students' alliance was comprised of Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), Peoples Students Federation (PSF), Punjabi Students Association (PSA) and others. Conversely, neutral students were also participated in large numbers. The representatives of the alliance were of the view that the rally was took out to record a protest against the Israeli barbarian air strikes on Gaza Strip. "USA is the main supporter of the illegitimate state of Israel and its terrorism."

"Through this rally the students and teachers of the KU have shown their detestation for dual and cruel polices of the US government and its illegitimate child Israel. US government and its polices are actual enemy of the humanity. It is disgusting that the leadership of 57 Muslim countries are just spectators of cruel activities of evil powers," they said.

Post your comments

Sindh Elementary Edu Project closed
Karachi: The Decentralised Elementary Education Project (DEEP) in Sindh with financial assistance of Asian Development Bank, has been closed due to failure of education department in achieving the desired targets set in the projects, sources said.

The original cost of the project was Rs5.880 billion and was revised at Rs861.5 million. It was initiated in FY2003-04. The project remained in pipeline till FY2006 due to delay of preparation of feasibility reports of the project and lack of offices in the districts, a concerned senior official of the project said.

Sources confirmed that due to differences among the coalition parties of previous provincial government, the project could not be executed till last year. This has resulted in anger and dissatisfaction for the donor agency.

Consequently, the competent authorities of Sindh government showing dissatisfaction over the performance and implementation of the project, ordered to close this project.

Sources said the remaining amount of Rs5.21 million of this education project has shifted to the water and sewerage project.

Meanwhile, highlighting the objectives of the project, officials recalled that it was to upgrade 1200 primary schools to middle level schools, to construct 100 shelter-less schools, 980 compound walls and 1400 lavatory blocks.

Furthermore, to grant 115 MEd scholarships to Primary and Junior School Teachers, to provide furniture, equipment and computers, teachers' tool-kits and sports material to upgrade schools was also the part of this project.

To grant scholarships and stipends on differential basis for students was another target as Rs198 million was allocated for the period of three years.

Besides, to impart training to DEOs and ADOs education through NIPA, to award scholarship, award scholarship to female teachers with other 1000 teachers. It was also to start girl's stipend from class 9th to 12th up to 7460 students for two years.

Stating the achievement of the project, official said, till the closure of the project, the provincial government could upgrade only 208 schools while pre-primary classes had been provided to 103 upgraded schools.

Moreover, at least 116 compound walls and 193 lavatory blocks have been constructed, furniture and teaching kits have been provided to 208 upgraded schools, official maintained. At least 936 female-teacher scholarships have been awarded to the teacher from class 11th to 14th while 14,276 girls stipend have been distributed to the students of class 9th to 12th.

Stating the problems in implementation of the project, the official sources said that the initial two years spent on preparations feasibility reports and establishment of offices in district as mostly districts had not extra offices for this project.

In principally, the implementation of project was started in FY2006-2007 and all the relevant sections were actively busy in implementation of the project, official said, adding that the achievements of targets was in process but the competent authorities ordered to close this project.

It may be noted here that another project namely Education Reforms Support Programme with financial assistance of World Bank, is running in the province but desire results has not achieved from it as the number of closed schools are increasing. The Nation

Post your comments