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Shakarganj has adopted 31 local schools, out of which 6 primary and 25 elementary schools are for girls and one elementary school is for boys. Through the adoption process, it provides clean drinking water, nutrition supplements, books, uniforms, maintenance of infrastructure and the building of additional facilities. This process has led to an increase from 5,673 female students enrolled in these schools in 2005 to 7,261 students in 2007. Nutritional Programme for Students Under the auspices of the Shakarganj Nutritional Programme, over 5,000 students, teachers and non-teaching staff have been tested for hepatitis B and C. Furthermore, 5,420 have also received blood-group testing and issued blood-group identification cards. Milk and fruit is also distributed regularly on campuses. Shakarganj Teachers Training and Resource Centre (TARC) To provide backbone support to the education initiative, the Shakarganj Teachers Training and Resource Centre (TARC) was set up and operates within the Mills’ premises. At the training institute, 1,061 teachers have so far been successfully trained in 49 batches and 392 workshops. Teachers are trained with a focus on more efficiently teaching the arts and sciences as well as management and leadership skills to improve the administrative structure of these schools. Adult Literacy Centres The company has so far established 80 adult literacy centres out of which 66 are for women between the age of 15 and 50 years. The results have been very encouraging with over 1,800 men and women having participated in these programmes and about 100 currently enrolled. Jhang School of Arts and Calligraphy The Jhang School of Arts and Calligraphy, sponsored by Shakarganj, has also been playing a role in supporting talent from within the community. Students are instructed in fashion design, painting, and calligraphy. Art competitions among Matric students are held annually in June. Exhibitions, attracting foreign and local audiences, are held twice a year in which the works of local artists are promoted. This has become a source of income and has had a positive impact on the socio-economic family setup. Shakarganj Sponsored TCF Schools Shakarganj has provided land and funds for the construction of two elementary schools through The Citizens Foundation (TCF) schools system. A total of 236 students are currently enrolled in these schools, located in close proximity of the factory sites in Jhang and Bhone. The combined project cost of these schools is Rs. 11 million. A third school is being constructed and will be completed before the end of the year. Shakarganj plans to construct five more TCF schools in future. Scholarships During 2007, Shakarganj funded special incentives for schoolchildren and teachers which include scholarships and awards for high-achievers, in school and board exams, sports competitions and inter-school writing competition. |
