KARGIL: To review and strengthen the Winter Alternative Learning Program (WALP), the rZamba Trust convened a meeting with Village Education Committees (VECs) of different schools in collaboration with Royal Enfield.
The event was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Imteeaz Kacho, VEC members and the rZamba team headed by CEO Shifa Saldon.
The event began with the welcome address delivered by Shifa Saldon who extended greetings to all the guests and highlighted the purpose of the gathering.
In his address, ADC Imteeaz Kacho appreciated the efforts of the rZamba team for consistently introducing successful and innovative initiatives in the education sector in Kargil and for leading by example. He added that communities have now begun to come together to form Village Education Committees (VEC) with ample support from rZamba and inspired by its path-breaking interventions.
He emphasized that children are the future of the nation and guiding them on the right path ensures the overall development of the country. Nurturing children in a homely atmosphere and a conducive environment is also essential for their wholesome growth.
He noted that activities and creative engagements motivate children to attend school willingly thus helping improve early childhood education. He stressed that education must be aligned with the child’s ability and interest rather than the expectations or choices of parents.
Further, Kacho highlighted the importance of socio-emotional learning stating that the aim of education is the holistic development of children and is not about turning them into robots. In the rapidly developing world, he said, education must be imparted while keeping one’s tradition, culture and ethics in mind.
Shifa Saldon presented a detailed presentation on Zamba’s initiatives under the Winter Alternative Learning Programme in twenty (20) remote areas of UT Ladakh. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to teachers, students, VEC members as well as the community for their continuous support which has been instrumental in the success of their mission. She outlined rZamba’s vision of empowering every child in UT Ladakh through equitable and quality education apart from the mission of empowering youth, strengthening communities to take ownership of Government School development and establishing strong strategic alliances.
The CEO rZamba also discussed several challenges faced by students in remote areas that include: long winter breaks, causing gaps in learning; need to travel to towns for educational support; financial constraints that prevent families from affording tuition fees outside villages and other issues.
To address these issues, rZamba initiated the Winter Alternative Learning Program to ensure continuity of education during the harsh winter months.
She urged the VECs to support the program through day-to-day coordination, planning at the VEC level and providing community involvement. She also sought support from the District Administration of Kargil to prioritize and encourage child education in remote areas.
The program concluded with active feedback and valuable suggestions from various VEC members who expressed their commitment to strengthening the Winter Alternative Learning Program for the benefit of children across remote villages.
