Federal Government Boys Primary School Dhok Jirani is the only government owned primary school for miles in the Barah Koh area of Islamabad Capital territory. The school consists of five class rooms all of which are overflowing with children. Each class has at least 40 children and one teacher. The teachers have their hands full on any given day. Up until a couple of months ago, the headmaster’s worst nightmare was having one of his teachers take a day off.On these days, all hell would break loose with classes being joined together and being administered by one teacher.Needless to say, nobody really learnt anything on these days. The lone teacher merely tried to retain some sense of normalcy while the little hooligans wreaked havoc. Receiving only a miniscule amount of funds from the Government, they could not afford to arrange for substitute teachers.

CGN-P sowed the seeds for change about a year ago. CGN-P master trainers introduced the principle and teachers to the concept of community and Family Involvement. This was in direct contrast to their preconceived notions as the very idea of active parental involvement in schools was generally frowned upon and parents rarely visited the school. Gradually at the insistence of the CGN-P team the parents were encouraged to participate in school activities.

It was at one of the Parent Teachers meetings that the principle put into effect his idea of formulating a database of parents and community members who were willing and able to teach and could fill in for the regular teachers when they were absent. The principle and teachers discussed the ideas with the community members and gauged their ability to teach. A list of 50 potential participants was made out of which 35 were finalized and approached.  The consulted members were appreciative of the idea and consented to help out. Amongst the volunteers were 18 graduates of CGN-P’s Family Literacy program which educates non literate adults.

Now whenever, a teacher is absent, the school administration simply calls one of the volunteers who take classes during the whole day. Teacher absenteeism does not lead to chaos and disruptions. The new system ensures that studies are not disrupted due to a teacher’s absence. This is a classic example of CGN-P’s ideology in effect which states that community and family involvement can ensure enhanced productivity despite scarce financial resources.

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