JEDDAH, 20 November 2003 — Pakistan Welfare Society, a non-profit organization promoting education among Pakistani expatriates, plans to open three new model schools in Jeddah next year.
Ahsan Rashid, the man behind the project, told Arab News at a recent iftar party that “we are planning to open three new schools by next year for the children of those who cannot afford education at the embassy school. These schools will be located in Makkah Road Kilo 16, Bawadi and Bani Malik.”
The project has received wide support from a large section of the community as well as the Consulate General of Pakistan. Consul General Masood Akthar has promised all possible assistance to the project.
The welfare society already runs two primary schools, one for boys and the other for girls, in Guwaiza district, about 30 km from Jeddah. The boys’ school was started four years ago and has a strength of over 100 students, while the girls’ school with 85 students was started last year. Besides these schools, which are fully financed and governed by the society, another school in Aziziya district gets partial financial assistance from the society.
About SR.17,000 is spent annually on the running of these schools, which is raised through donations from community members.
The consul general has shown keen interest in the project since taking over charge in Jeddah. He visited Guwaiza schools and donated two table tennis tables, one each for the boys and girls schools.
He also provided an audio system for boys and TV and VCR for girl students of the Guwaiza schools.
In his address, Mumtaz Ahmad Jamil highlighted the progress of the two schools.
Ahsan Rashid assured parents of continued support to students who pass grade 6 exams from Guwaiza school. He promised them financial and other material assistance.
The welfare society, which operates under the supervision and guidance of prominent Pakistani expatriates including Ahsan Rashid, Khalid Mughal, Mumtaz Ahmad Jamil, Zafar Talpur and Yakoob Mirza, had organized the iftar party for the parents and students of Guwaiza schools.
