Under this program GRACE has established “GRACE Public School Astana Skardu” as a milestone initiative towards educational development. Some one hundred and fifty male and female students have been enrolled in this school throughout March and April 2007. GRACE has received the full cooperation and appreciation of the focus community for this initiative.

A generous community member donated 0.25 acres of land for construction of the school building. GRACE has also built a partnership with Himalayan Green Club Japan (HGC) for the construction of GRACE Public School building.

GRACE is receiving more applications for the opening of public schools in other areas of Skardu District which are presently under consideration.

The village of Astana is located on the Airport Road to Skardu, 4 km short of the main town. It is currently inhabited by 500 indigenous families living in the area since centuries and 667 families of the displaced population who migrated from Gultari, Brolmo and Gangni Valley that are the border areas between India and Pakistan.

The population migrated due to the two military wars in 1971 and 1999 fought between India and Pakistan. Some of the families also migrated due to mines laid by Pakistani Army. Keeping in view that the children of these communities lack access to quality education, GRACE established “GRACE Public School Astana Skardu” under its education development program in February 2007.

The project was initiated to achieve three objectives:

1. Enhance the access of children of displaced population’s to quality education,
2. Establish a model inclusive education school;
3. Promote the concept of Early Childhood Development.

Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)

(ECCD) Program The main objective of this program is to strengthen parental and teacher’s skills to raise healthy and thriving children, and to establish ECCD knowledge sharing environment in the region through institutionalizing it as a sustainable community- based program. The concept of ECD is still in the infantile stages in Pakistan particularly in Baltistan, Northern Areas. Generally, parents are unaware of ECCD and its importance; even in schools there are no strategic plans or programs to implement the child-development education that leaves room for the continuation of corporal punishment.

ECD is a special subject at GRACE Public School Skardu. This program is contributing to children’s social, ethical and moral skills building through psycho-social stimulation and enhancing aptitude for self-motivated-learning. Children develop decisionmaking power, tolerance, confidence, trust, creativity, curiosity and qualities that are essential for a good community member and a valued member of the global community. GRACE has started striving to promote ECD in Baltistan and Southern Punjab.

Ms. Paula of Brazil and Ms. Nikki Woodhud of USA have been providing assistance in this regard. Punjab and links are being developed for fund raising: Plan International UK and Global Fund for Children.

GRACE is planning to create a trend of ECCD in public and private schools in the Northern and Southern extremes of the country. For this purpose, experts are collecting information and material developed internationally with the support of online volunteers. The information and knowledge package is being prepared for awareness and a conducive environment required to promote the concept in these schools. Once it is ready, projects will be designed and implemented in collaboration with the schools to develop a culture of ECD in the remotest villages of Baltistan Northern Areas.