Our patron’s visit to KEF’s schools

Our patron, Sir David Green KCMG CVO, formerly Chief Executive of the British Council and of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), has visited all of the Kashmir Education Foundation’s (KEF’s) centres, most recently in November 2018. In February 2019 he shared what he saw. His statement follows in full; spellings in square brackets are ours.

Sir David Green on KEF’s schools

I have had the good fortune to be able to visit all of KEF’s centres in the past couple of years and, most recently, in November 2018. I have been most impressed by what I saw. The teacher training college in Basili [Bassali], not far from Rawalpindi is doing excellent work in training teachers at the primary school level. Their emphasis on producing low cost but very effective teaching aids, and developing highly participative learning methods should be replicated across the world. And the result of this has been that all three KEF schools have very stimulating environments where the walls, the floors, including in the playground, and even the steps of the stairs, are put to educational use. When I visited Banjosa Public School I arrived to find a class learning about fractions by jumping into boxes painted on the playground floor.

The students were highly motivated and I was particularly struck by their level of confidence generally and their proficiency in English. I also witnessed the policy of taking in the best students who apply, regardless of their ability to afford the schooling, and giving bursaries to those who need assistance.

Basili [Bassali] Public School, Pearl Valley Public School and Banjosa Public School are all model schools and have set a high bar. I was very encouraged to learn just how many schools have been set up in Rawalakot over the past 5 years. 23 years ago when Pearl Valley School was set up there was just a small handful. Now there are 63 in Rawalakot district. This is a testament to KEF I believe because they have demonstrated the importance and benefits of quality education.

Having seen the work on the ground I feel proud to be associated with KEF.

Sir David Green KCMG CVO

“Basili [Bassali] Public School” refers to Soan Valley Public School, which shares its campus at Bassali with KEF’s teacher training college.

Photographs from the visit

These photographs were taken during Sir David’s visit to Banjosa Valley Public School on 7 November 2018.

Thank you

Thank you to Sir David for his time and his encouragement, and to KEF’s staff, teachers and pupils for the warm welcome they gave him.

Read more about Banjosa Valley Public School, or help more children learn in classrooms like these.

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