Rural education program, a photo from Balochistan, West

Photographer's Note

The province of Balochistan(Pakistan) has the worst educational attainment in Pakistan, which has low educational attainment compared to countries with similar income levels. In light of several factors constraining the Balochistan government's ability to expand school supply in poor areas, private schools were thought to offer potential benefits for increasing enrollment. Two pilot "fellowship" projects were undertaken in 1994: a voucher system for girls from poor families in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan, and a similar voucher system for girls in rural villages. The subsidies were short-term, and the schools used various financial strategies to become self-sustainable. The projects had success in urban areas and relative failure in rural areas. Between 1994 and 1996, enrollment of girls in urban fellowship neighborhoods increased 26 percent, while enrollment of boys (who were not subsidized) rose 20 percent. Enrollments continued to rise after subsidies ended in 1997. In addition, the program was replicated in other neighborhoods and cities. Rural fellowship schools, however, were unsustainable, and only one appeared likely to survive. Factors contributing to the relative success of the urban schools were higher demand for girls' schooling in urban areas, greater ability of urban parents to pay, the presence of more children in urban neighborhoods, greater availability of experienced school operators and good teachers in urban areas, and higher government subsidies for urban schools.
I was amazed to see this school at remote area of Sibi,school was closed(though it was one roomed school,i think enough for entertain 80 kids).these kids was about to leave the school.i wanted to take picture of girl's school(as they have got separate girl's school) but they wont allowed me to do so.
comments and suggestions are welcome.

flory, Atousa, adores, calimex, neosprint, Roelena, Rosa_d_MonteLua, Benedict, lestans, Starscream, plimrn, pranab, noborders, luciajeronimo, Glint has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

aytu_k (223) 2007-05-19 14:06

nice to see aour brothers and sisters.
greetings from turkey
mustafa

Wahclellaspirit (4125) 2007-05-19 15:44

Hello Mujtaba,
Very good capture of the different lighting in this scene. The children appear very interested in having their pictures taken.
Good Shot, and good note as well...
Steve

flory (4848) 2007-05-20 2:26

hi Mujtaba,
a docummentary shot..interesting these pic on the wall with alphabet and these sweet kids who must leaves the school..unfortunately,not all projects in this life could be successed..hm..we have some problems,too,with the rural education,but not so deeply.
wish all the best for your country!
flory

Atousa (7131) 2007-05-20 3:14

Salam Mujtaba,
A good documentary shot! I like its natural atmosphere and the compo which shows the situation.
And I think you made the children happy .
TFS,
Atousa

wolf38 (30) 2007-05-20 5:10

Hello Mujtaba. Schools are always interesting. If always possible, I look at me schools in other countries. Your photo is outstanding. In addition a very informative text, which supplements the photo. Very beautifully. Best regards, Wolfgang.

dilane (861) 2007-05-20 13:01

Hi mujtaba
thanks for your visit
for my first visit on your site , I remark this excellent picture and the excellent comment
regards dilane

adores (46979) 2007-05-20 20:42

Hi Mujtaba!
Another great photo of Pakistan. Their expressions are just great, they seem so concentrated on your camera.I also like their works on the wall. Good composition!
Regards, Anabela

calimex (151) 2007-05-21 16:10

Dear Mugush,

I find this photo and the accompanying note extremely compelling.

From a technical perspective, it actually seems like a difficult photo to shoot, with the number of children present and the harsh light and shadow that you had to work with. Your framing is quite good, however, as well as the details throughout. I appreciated that you included some of the learning tools, such as the alphabet, in the background.

Beyond technical aspects, I think this photo and your accompanying note is among your better images here. The issue you present about education, particularly in this rural province of Pakistan, is especially difficult. I haven't seen this subject addressed so thoughtufully or eloquently by any other photographer here on TE.

Thank you very much for the information and the impactul photograph. I would like to know the status of this school and program today.

My best to you,
Josй

neosprint (213) 2007-05-21 17:09

Hi Mujtaba!
There is s/th in this shot. sth special.. like feeling happy in every situation.. nowadays people are crazy about money, carriers, big houses and modern cars.. nobody on this photo has sth like that, but every one looks happy..
these children seem also interested in what is happening.. drawins are amusing..

What i also like is that they all look different.. it's very good for composition..

your note made be feel complicated. but it also kept my mind open..

TFS

with love,
Sofia

Roelena (155) 2007-05-22 14:57

Hi Mujtaba!
first look remind me of an old picture from 1908 that my grandma used to show me when talking about grand grand parents and other relatives. It was a good illustration of that times. And your photo treats the same subject. And these two pictures (yours and grandma's) that I have in mind now are not similar because of the educational system, but because the kids have the same look in their eyes. I found it amazing!
Very good picture! TFS!
Elena

Rosa_d_MonteLua (1508) 2007-05-22 19:57

Hi Mujtaba!
Nice composition, very well framed, and with good natural colours.
Their expressions are simply fabulous, and the title was well chose.
TFS and best regards,
Rosa

Benedict (7076) 2007-05-23 8:47

hi mujtaba,
the class of 2008 in an advance graduation shoot! very well composed especially the facial moods of these children are captivating. education, everybody needs it or this world will go mad forever. there is no excuse for that!
the different lighting display is another well managed detail you have well captured and endorsed!
benedict

rbcy1974 (20758) 2007-05-28 9:12

Hello Mugush
Very beautiful group portrait
I like the contrast between shadow and liught
the note is very informative.
Regards
Daniel

balochistan (17) 2007-05-28 10:42 [Comment]

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marianita (3455) 2007-05-29 3:37

MUtjaba
i jsut lvoe these natural shots! makes us see life differently!
well taken
marianna

lestans (17258) 2007-05-29 15:23

Hi Mujtaba!
you tell us an interesting description of countryside schools in your country!
In the picture I see many boys smiling and joking as everywhere, I would like to see also girls and to understand why there is so a big differnce in female's eduction and life in some countries.
Anyway, education is very important for rising people, expecially in areas far from cities.
I would like to visit your country so much! Maybe next years...
Ciao!!
Livia

zo_tos (1084) 2007-06-01 8:19

hi mujtaba,
difficuly shot to do, strong light and shadows, the result is very good,
it very nice to see the efforts for such programs, education is a right of everyboby, helps progress and of course helps us to maintain our culture which is very important, there was a period, a lot of years ago, that in my country education was forbitten so children had to go in illegal schools during the night..!
thanx for sharing
stratos

Starscream (891) 2007-06-06 6:34

Hi Mujtaba
Very interesting shot. Well composed, with good details.
Thanks for sharing.
Christianna

amazon (12112) 2007-06-07 5:35

merhaba mujtaba,
this children are really the essence of life...
well done,
selamlar,
iffet

plimrn (21344) 2007-06-12 18:34

Salam Mujtaba,
You did well capturing great detail in the children in spite of very difficult light. Your framing is excellent; with the posters on the walls, the photo is completly understandable even without your eloquent note. You truly taught me more about the world. Wishing you health, love & Joy (HLJ), Pat

pranab (5354) 2007-06-14 0:48

mujtaba,
excellent shot of this subject. in our part of the world it is a sad reality but here in the kids' eyes one can see the gleamer of hope. good work with the light and the details.

noborders (1010) 2007-06-27 9:47

The photo is lovely, the light well managed and the subject interests me a lot, so reading this long note about girl's education is great - I believe that education is as important as health programmes, specially education of the girls !

But this photo is superb, children seem very happy
Bravo,
Cath.

touristdidi (8583) 2007-09-07 17:25 [Comment]

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luciajeronimo (164) 2007-09-13 15:09

HELLO!
I think thisphoto ilustrates very well the joy and mystery of the children attending to school;the light is well captured and the expressions just great!
see u*lucia

janneman (4037) 2007-11-27 10:19

The light and the soft colours, the composition and how the children are grouped: very beautifull!!!
TFS

Glint (6171) 2008-08-27 15:53

hello Mujtaba,
These children are a charming group as all chilfren are. I like the different expressions on their faces and the play of light and shadow.The little boy framed by the door sems to have his attention turned elsewhere.
Bev

marietom (34611) 2008-08-29 1:37

hello Mujtaba,

Un joli portrait groupй. J'aime beaucoup ce que montre cette image, des йcoles d'ailleurs.
Bonne soirйe
Marie