Tariq Aziz Mughal

M ISSION STAT EM ENT  text 4. EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN:  Imparting Computer Skills to young girls from underprivileged community: Roots has taken a bold initiative by introducing Basic Computer Training and conducting Spoken English Classes for the young girls of underprivileged community. The first batch of 20 girls has successfully completed the six weeks course and certificates were awarded by Mrs. Gen. Pervez Mushar- raf as President Elect of South East Pacific Asia First Ladies Organisation for Rural and Island Women. The eighth batch of 20 girls is undergoing training. The school has set a target of training 144 young girls for the year 2002. We are also ensuring their job placement in the private sector.  Training of Computer Skills to the eighth batch of the young girls from underprivileged community: Roots has taken a bold initiative by introducing Basic Computer Training and conducting Spoken English Classes for the young girls of underprivileged community. First seven batches have successfully completed the six weeks course and certificates were awarded to them by different eminent personalities. The eighth batch of 80 girls is undergoing training. The school has set a target of training 144 young girls for the year 2002. We are also ensuring their job placement in the private sector. 5. CHILD’S RIGHTS: Name of institution Address Phone: Fax: Email:  Roots Students and teachers have been nominated as goodwill ambassadors to create a general awareness among the children and the parents on the rights of the child. Child’s Rights Protection Council has been constituted in a community adopted by roots. The council includes four students representing the school (2 girls and 2 boys), 2 teachers from the school, 2 teachers from the community, 2 mothers from the community and 2 students from the community (1 girl and 1 boy). This council will ensure that all children attend school and enjoy their basic rights by creating awareness and motivation among the people of the community. 6. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION:  Roots is a very active member of WWF Pakistan. The students create awareness in the community by holding exhibitions and nature carnivals through different platforms. Their awareness and enthusiasm has won them the awards in the Nature Carnival held by WWF in the 2000 and 2001. They have also organised walks / competitions / quizzes / dramas and environmental extravaganza in collaboration with UNESCO Pakistan. The students have been in the forefront in the plantation campaigns. 7. PEACE INITIATIVES:  Roots Students are the promoters on unity in diversity and have contributed tremendously at the national and international forum. Students’ peace proposals were highly commended by the members of WFSF (World Future Studies Federation) and UNESCO Office, Paris. The students have compiled a book on the ‘Festivals of the World’ which has been selected for publication by UNESCO. Presently they are engaged in compiling another publication under the title of ‘Tolerance’. Human Rights Educations forms an integral part of our school curriculum. Pakistan has been awarded UNESCO Award for its ASPnet Schools Programme on Human Rights. Begum Zubaida Jalal in her key note address on the roots Millennium Children’s Peace Festival commended the institution “Begum Sehba Musharraf, you will be happy to know that with the efforts of schools like Roots Montessori, Pakistan has recently won the International Award for Human Rights Education”. Feb 21, 2001 8. PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE:  Another book will be complied by the students on the different eras of civilization – a gigantic project undertaken by the young students of roots school displaying periods from Stone Age to Future Age. This work will be forwarded to UNESCO for publication. School has nominated two teachers in the sub-committee constituted by UNESCO Office, Pakistan to develop easy-to-read materials on the six selected world heritage sites in Pakistan. 9. I N T R O D U C T I O N OF CULTURAL LEARNING:   Rabia Tariq student of Class VIII has been elected as the first President of the National Children’s Council by the Children’s Assembly held at National Library, Islamabad by UNICEF & FGSH on Nov. 20, 2002.  Usman Ahmed student of Class VIII has been nominated as a Child Representative in the Children’s Consultative Group. INTER- Roots has introduced inter-cultural learning in its curriculum from the very inception of the institution so as to prepare the students for global citizens equipped with the abilities, skills and knowledge to contribute in any global organisation. The institution has introduced Pakistan, its people, culture, government and traditions to the world by joining voluntarily an International Project “Global Visions”. Roots received a Commendation Award at the Global Visions World Conference held at Queensland University, Brisbane Australia, 1997. An extract from the Commendation Letter: “The presentation of Roots High School at the World Conference was highly commendable and it created a new awakening among all of us that there is so much to learn and share with each other and every culture around the world and if we could have more humanistic and selfless people, ready to work for the cause of future generations, our children of today, the world would definitely be a much better place to live in for all of us”. Kathleen Rundall, Chair, WFSF, 1997, International Conference Prof. Dr. Moegiadi, Director UNESCO, Pakistan and Afghanistan awarded Commendation Certificate to the institution. An extract of the Commendation Certificate: “This Certificate of Commendation is awarded to Mrs. Riffat Mushtaq for her outstanding services in the field of education at grass roots level and for promoting peace, democracy, solidarity and international understanding”. Prof. Dr. Moegiadi, Director UNESCO Pakistan & Afghanistan Oct 18, 1996 10. CHILD’S RIGHTS: Note: Roots as a member of UNESCO Associated Schools Project ASPnet has initiated many new approaches and projects in the field of education as advocated by the international commission on education for the 21st century established by UNESCO:  Learning to know  Learning to do  Learning to be  Learning to live together Roots as member UNESCO ASPnet initiated 4 projects by taking into account the four pillar of education for the XXIst century and attained excellent results for March 2000 – March 2001 and is now continuing with the project by broadening their base. 1. Non-Violent Resolution of Conflict 2. Human Rights and Democracy 3. Inter Cultural Learning 4. Solidarity