The schools were born out of the need for quality education in Chitral plus Muzafar's zeal and extensive community consultation. Read more in the schools' own reports.
1999 – school inaugurated in Booni, 2 classes and 57 students aged 6/7 in a small rented building. 1 new class joins at lowest age level annually.
2001 – school moved into purpose built building with 7 rooms. 4 computers were funded by the British Council.
2002 – following persistent requests from the community local donations enabled another school to be constructed in Parwak, 15km upstream of Booni.
2005/6 – Star's Land Booni has 8 classes, 198 students and 13 rooms. Parwak has 6 classes and 6 rooms.
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© Jam 2008.
UK charity SC 037050.
It must be emphasised how unique Star’s Land schools are in the region. Many schools have been established with a focus on making money (Star’s Land fees are one third of those in comparable local school) and have a narrow approach to education. Other children receive a Quranic education in the mosque, while news agencies have reported that at both government and private schools in the area teachers have been using and renting out students as a manual work force during school hours.
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Jam and School Progress
| Beyond running and maintenance costs the schools' plans include the following: | |||||
| Earthquake repairs | £ |
290 | |||
| Completion of new rooms | 910 | ||||
| Rooms for intake by 2009 | 600 | ||||
| Below are priorities for improving the service in the future: | |||||
| 10 Computers + room | £ |
2,700 | |||
| Science Equipment | 1,000 | ||||
| Library Books | 670 | ||||
| Vehicle | 1,900 | ||||
| 200 tables and chairs | 1,150 | ||||
| Land + construction of hostel | 13,030 | ||||
| Total | £23,150 | ||||
These advances would bring an entirely new level of education to the area.
2007/8
Star's Land has had a strong year, both academically and pursuing various community and environment focused activities. Star's Land Booni now accommodates 9 classes and 182 students, 21 students are exempted from fees. This year money from Jam has allowed the completion of 3 large new rooms and for them to be equipped as a library, a science room and another classroom. This is a unique facility in the area. Recently, 500 students across the region sat a competitive exam for the 40 places in a new, first class school established by the Aga Khan Foundation. 14 students from Star's Land have gained entry and while the school loses its best students it has gained the reputation of the best school in the region.
The Year's Activities
Some of this year’s activities have been; an inter-school debating competition, including the topic of desertification; the celebration of Environment Day, including discussions of pollution and deforestation; producing an international cookbook; and visiting nearby schools, villages and beauty spots.
Participation in Qaqlasht Festival
'Our students participated in it with great pomp and show. Some students made speeches, others played a stage show, related to the event and other students sang songs and performed local dance. That was highly appreciated by the huge crowd. In the end of the program our students collected all the shopping bags, and deposited them. The students were encouraged once again. Last year girls from our school had also participated in the Qaqlasht festival. This year females' participation was discouraged due to the pressure of extreme thinking peoples.'
Star's Land Annual Report, 2006/7
Read more in the School's Own Reports
