Exploring a private educational organisation's response to Education in Emergencies (EiEs) in the context of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan
Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Education (M. Ed.)
Department
Professional Development Centre, Karachi
Abstract
This study explores a private educational organisation’s response to Education in Emergencies (EiEs) in and aftermath of a natural disaster in the context of Gilgit-Baltistan in Northern Pakistan. The main focus of the study was to explore the organisational strategies, facilitating factors and challenges faced in the response process. Exploratory case study method in the qualitative research paradigm was employed to study the organizational response and data was mainly collected through semi-structured interviews with samples from the organisational management, head teachers and community representatives in education. The primary findings of the study indicate that the organisation used a variety of strategies to respond to EiEs such as setting up recreational centre for students, establishing camp schools, arranging awareness sessions for parents, especially for women on emergency situations and having close coordination with the community and emergency response organisations. Furthermore, the organisation’s response efforts were facilitated by coordination from government and non-governmental emergency aid and response agencies, the organisation’s own structure and its earlier role in the region as a key education provider, the community's organised setup and its positive approach towards education and a culture of volunteerism. However, the results also indicate that the organization faced some challenges in the response process, such as, lack of trained staff to deal with EiEs, arranging alternatives for schooling, lack of enabling environment for children in the IDP camps, non- availability of most needed resources such as tents for schools, issues of quality education in the camp schools, tuition fee of the affected students and harsh weather conditions. The study concludes that the organisation attempted to comprehensively respond to EiEs. However, it is not possible for a single organisation to properly respond to schooling of children because of the diverse needs of an emergency situation. Hence, a serious and conscious effort is required to develop a coordinated and practical response to EiEs in coordination with government and non-governmental emergency response organisations and the community.
Recommended Citation
Khan, A. (2013). Exploring a private educational organisation's response to Education in Emergencies (EiEs) in the context of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan (Unpublished master's dissertation). Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.