For poor Muslim students, this school brings ray of light
Express News Services, Pulkit Vasudha
Ahmedabad, June 6:A Philanthropic idea that germinated during the Gujarat riots has now taken shape in the form of a swanky school for the Muslim children in Salam area of the city.
Fearing that the children of the community may face discrimination in other schools and could miss out on posh schools due to financial constraints, the Nawabkhan Abbaskhan Charitable Trust decided to establish a school which was not only affordable for the Muslim children but also provided facilities which were at par with some of the best schools in the city.
The four-storied Mehboobkhan Sharifkhan Public School, build under the aegis of Nawabkhan Abbaskhan Charitable Trust and named after its trustees, Mehboob Nawabkhan Pathan and Sharif Nawabkhan Pathan not only has a modest fee structure but also offers scholarships to its talented lot. The trust which has been running a temporary school till now will inaugurate the school on June 9 with classes officially commencing from June 11.
“After the riots, we did not want our children to face any discrimination and so we decided to enrol them in a Muslim school. Also, the fees here is lower than any other private school, says Jamaluddin, who has admitted his two children in the school.
Trustee Mehboobkhan Pathan says, “Many children were not even able to go to schools to take examinations during the riots. The dismal future faced by the children of this community prompted us to build a temporary school for children in 2004.”
Apart from a modest fee structure of Rs 100 per month, students securing higher than 60% will be given a 50% reduction in fees along with scholarships for those scoring above 80% marks.
The MS Public School is currently recognisd by the Gujarat Education Board but the trustees plan to get a recognition from CBSE soon. With a skating rink, swimming pool, gym, mini-theatre and sports field in various stages of construction, the school aims to focus on the over all development of its students.
Trustee Sharifkhan Pathan says, “The Muslim community of Salam area in Ahmedabad is mostly poor and backward. The children dream of studying in big, posh schools. We only wish to fulfill the dreams of the underprivileged Muslim children who cannot afford expensive schools.”
After receiving close to 1200 applications for admission, administrator Farooque Qureshi says, “We also plan to start coaching classes for journalism and UPSC students. A night school will function for the elderly and Arabic classes will be arranged for people of all ages.”
Source: Indian Express