News
PSTA encourages an active atmosphere. All branches of PSTA maintain an energetic amabience, even the routine events are varied to break the monotony. When there is so much happening on a daily / weekly / monthly basis, there is sure to be news to give. Given below are brief accounts of recent happenings & acknowledgments. These news items serve as an insight to PSTA's welfare service.

 

Visit of Swedish Ambasadar to PSTA Schools in Lahore
Refresher Course - July 2010
Exam Result Day- Area Hujra Shah Muqeem
PSTA Cricket Tournament, Lahore, 5th March 2010
IT course for Supervisors - December 2009
PSTA Rally November 2009
Parents Meetings at the brick kilns March 2009
PSTA Summer Refresher Course 2008
Ulla Asberg (1939 2008).
WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOR 2008.
Quiz Competition 2008
Exams February 2008
Staff Refresher Course July 2007
Handicraft Exhibition Nov 2006
April Exams 2006
PSTA visit program to the earthquake affected areas of Pakistan.
JUNE IT Refresher Course 2006
10th Jan 2005 (IT Refresher Course)
10th Dec 2004 Year ending Gettogether.
Refresher Course Nov 2004
IT TRAINING HELD AT TTC September 25, 2004
Murree Teachers Refresher Course 2004
VISIT OF FORUM SYD April 04, 2004
SWEDISH DIPLOMATS VISIT April 27, 2004
May 16, 2003, Computer given at Bhatta Bobby
October 17, 2002 - IT Updates at TTC
September 2002 - Uniform Cloth was delivered to Brick Kiln schools
January 2002 - Computer education commenced at Primary Centers in brick kilns
Matriculation 2002 - from Kotli Bhutta school

Olympics / Exams April 2007
 PSTA assess the progress of the students after every six months. This year, PSTA brought all the students of an area at a common place and assessed them through an exam.
After the exam, a MINI OLYMPICS was held for the students.
The parents of the students also came to see their children sit in the exams and participate in the Olympics.
A small talent show was also held in each area for the students, so that they may boost their confidence and show their creativeness.
Prizes and trophies were distributed to the deserving students after the program.
It was a great memorable event for the students, most of whom dont ever get a chance for any kind of recreational activities.
The program was very well managed and the teachers and the children worked hard for this mega event.
10th Jan 2005 (IT Refresher Course)
 A one week IT Refresher course was held at TTC for the Supervisors and Teachers. The teachers were taken to different areas of Lahore on an educational excursion trip.

 10th Dec 2004 Year ending Gettogether.
 PSTA held a year ending get together of all the teachers on the 10th of Dec 2004. All the teachers of PAK Schools, the Bhatta schools, the teachers from the Handicraft section, and the headmasters were present.
Mr. Thomas in his address to the teachers said that it was time for a change in the lives of the people of the brick kilns, and that change could only be brought about by GOOD teachers educating the children at the grass root level.

 Refresher Course Nov 2004
 PSTA held its last refresher course for the year 2004. This refresher course was very well conducted by the staff .
Professor Rodney Asberg from Sweden was here to meet the teachers and address them concerning various issues in their schools.
More emphasis was laid on how the involvement of the parents could lead to a more successful and better development , not only of the children but also, leading towards a more civil society.

After the course, the teachers were given a tour of the city.

September 25, 2004, IT TRAINING HELD AT TTC
 PSTA held a one week Computer Training course for Teachers from the Bhatta schools from 20th Sep 25th Sep 2004.
A total of 24 teachers were trained in this course.
These teachers shall all be given computers at their schools in the Bhattas, so that they may be able to spread awareness regarding IT education to their students.
PSTA plans to continue IT trainings for the teachers and provide them with personal computers, so that the children of the families living in the brick kilns, may have a chance to learn the skills of today to help them be prepared for tomorrow.
During this training, the teachers were also taken out on educational excursions to different areas of Lahore. These places included the Wagha border, Race course park, the historic Minar-e- Pakistan, Food street and the Fortress stadium.
It was an immense educational experience for the teachers, as most of them had never visited these places before.

MURREE REFERSHER COURSE 2004
 PSTA (Pak Swedish Teachers Association) had a Refresher course for all the teachers (Area wise) in Murree. The Course was for the Bhatta teachers as well as the Primary, Middle and High Schools Teachers The course started on the 15th of June with the Primary Middle and High School teachers, and ended on the 1st of August 2004.
The Primary Middle and High Schools Refresher course was conducted by the following individuals:

  • Mr. Samuel Iqbal
  • Ms. Sheela Sabir
  • Mr. Sadiq Sabir
  • Mr. Talib Masih

    The PSTA Bhatta Schools Refresher Course was conducted by :
  • Mr. Lal Din
  • Mr. Haroon Yusuf
  • Mr. Babar Masih
    The teachers enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and got to see new places and sights.
    It was truly an enhancing experience for the teachers, who got enlightened and learned a lot of new things by visiting new places.

    Apart from the entertaining and exciting thrills that the teachers experienced, they were also taught many other educational skills. The teachers were made aware of the basic educational methodologies and teaching skills. They were also given lessons in lesson planning, and One room, multiple grade teaching system.

    The teachers gained a lot through this Refresher Course, and expressed their heartiest gratitude to PSTA, and their desire to come here again next year.

    April 27, 2004, SWEDISH DIPLOMATS VISIT
     On the 27th April 2004, some 20 Swedish Diplomats paid a visit to different schools of PSTA. They visit included schools in the Jallo area.
    They were very impressed with the schools that they saw and with the hard work that the teachers were doing in those schools.
    On one Bhatta, all the Diplomats made ONE brick each to get the feel of the toil and hard work of the brick kiln labourers.

    April 04, 2004, VISIT OF FORUM SYD.
     Forum Syd is an umbrella organization for cooperation between different organizations. The aim of this organization is to work jointly with interenational aid and development issues.
    Forum Syd is also a part of an international community of popular movements that play a key role in the transforming work that must take place in order to create a better and more just world- that is in order to combat poverty, increase democracy and peace. It also works together with organisations of varying size and goals in the developing countries.
    Forum Syd spreads knowledge on global issues with the aim of encouraging people to take a stance on and work for greater justice and sustainable development.
    Two members of Forum Syd, Sussane Erickson and Jaana Korvella, came on a short visit to Pakistan. During their stay, they visited different Primary and Adult schools of PSTA in the brick kilns. They were highly impressed with the work and development in those underdeveloped and forgotten rural areas.
    They also visited the Pak Swedish Handicraft department and saw different centers.

    May 16, 2003, First Computer given to Bhatta Bobby, by  PSTA.
     May 16, 2003 was an historic day in the history of Pakistan. In order to promote IT awareness, PSTA has started giving out computers to the schools who have proper arrangements and teachers trained by PSTA. Bhatta Bobby was the first school to get a computer. The children were extremely excited and very happy with their new computer. 

    May 5, 2003, Ms. Shama Sabir says good bye to PSTA.
     Ms. Shama Sabir (Coordinator) has left PSTA, and is going to New Zealand for higher studies. She was holding many key responsibilities and everyone at PSTA will miss her a lot. We hope she enjoys her stay in New Zealand, wish her the best, and we pray for her success.

    May 1, 2003, Press conference held at Lahore Press Club.
     On May 1, 2003, PSTA held a press conference here at the Lahore Press Club, to express their support on the Labor Day. The work and projects of PSTA were explained by Mr. Thomas Asberg, and a wide coverage was given in major newspapers about the achievements and progress of PSTA. 

    October 4, Health Team 4 has an accident
    Monday October 4, PSTA Health Team Number 4 had an accident with a Buffalo. The driver Mr. Pervaiz broke his right leg, the nurse Ms. Iffat had a minor concussion. The front of the van was demolished and the buffalo died.

    Olympic Games 2002 @ PSTA Brick Kiln Primary Schools
    PSTA Olympic Games for the Brick Kiln students will be held in 5 different places in the first week of November the. The Games include football, high jump, long jump, run race, three-legged run and rowing. The children will be picked up from their Brick kiln by bus, take part in the event and be served lunch. Last week PSTA distributed over 200 footballs so that the children can exercise before the event.

    Swedish instructors expected for refresher courses
    Next week Swedish visitors from the University of Gothenburg are arriving to take part in this autumns refresher courses for Brick Kiln primary teachers. Starting next week, we will hold five courses with a total of 200 teachers refreshing their teaching skills at TTC.