Where COVID has affected almost every walk of life, a few chosen ones like Dr. Bushra Rahim know how to skillfully transform challenges into opportunities! Dr. Bushra Rahim (Fulbright 2011) has championed inclusive education, women empowerment, and social entrepreneurship in Pakistan for many years. Under Alumni Small Grant (ASG) funded by Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) and U.S. Mission in Pakistan, she has carried out a project to e-train female teachers to recapture the lost time and start distance teaching post-lockdown in Ujala (meaning daylight) free primary schools of KP, established by Fulbright alumna for street/out-of-school children.
Dr. Bushra has carried out two types of trainings for the Ujala teachers: Digital literacy and, Use of Digital Technology for Professional Development. The unique aspect of Dr. Bushra’s ASG is the element of built-in sustainability. Her project established a core team of trained female teachers who are IT literate and have competence in e-pedagogical skills. They are resuming online teaching during the pandemic and are also orienting their students in the use of digital mediums. Besides, her trained teachers will also train other educators and volunteers in the network of Association of Business, Professional and Agricultural Women (ABP&AW), which is a non-profit charity organization, and will also use the skills for their own personal and professional development.
It is due to this project that the teachers feel confident in using ICT with students for teaching and learning. Moreover, having equipped with right tools, the teaching & learning process will not get disrupted in case of untoward incidents in the future. Dr. Bushra has also led raising of funds to purchase computers for the school to make students tech-savvy.
We are indebted to people like Dr. Bushra who always volunteer and lead with an example to pay their due share for empowering communities.