PESHAWAR: Mercy Education Complex, established by the State of Kuwait to provide free education to orphaned children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is facing a financial crisis after funding was cut off last year.

The then president, the late Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari, inaugurated the complex spanning more than 50 canals to provide free kindergarten to enrollment education and vocational training for deserving orphaned boys in 1994. In June last year, Kuwait stopped sponsoring the complex, prompting the administration to launch a local fundraising appeal to be able to operate the institution.

“Currently, 508 students including 68 from Peshawar and the rest of the other districts are studying at Mercy Pak secondary school. They achieved outstanding results in exams organized by the Peshawar Middle and Secondary Education Council, ”MEF Director Dr Faqir Mohammad Anwar told Dawn.

Kuwait has stopped funding since last year

He said the complex, housing school, training workshops, hostel, playground, library and mosque employed 110 people, including 30 teachers and support staff. He said that until last year, staff members received salaries from funds provided by Kuwait. “Now we have to generate money locally for the continuation of the project,” he added.

Dr Faqir said that accommodation, clothing, food, medical and recreational facilities were provided to students at the institution. He added that computer skills were mandatory for all students, most of whom were successful in their professional careers.

“Students are selected by an entrance test. The institution is exclusively for orphans, who are selected by open merit.

“Those who belong to wealthy families are not allowed to be registered,” he said.

Dr Faqir said Kuwait has provided 60 million rupees per year to the institution for the past 25 years, in addition to building extensive infrastructure. “Now it is the responsibility of government, local organizations and philanthropists to help children complete their education,” he added.

He said that only the funds would allow them to continue the activities.

“We have installed a solar system in the school, but we need it in the hostel due to power outages 12 to 14 hours a day for which Rs2.7 million is needed,” he said. .

Mercy Pak Vocational Training Institute, which provides vocational training, electrical, automotive, refrigeration, air conditioning and sewing skills within the complex, is affiliated with the Board of Technical Education where its students have secured the top three positions in the past 15 years.

Dr Faqir stated that their mission was the development of each individual intellectually, physically and spiritually to the maximum of their potential to grow in grace and dignity through knowledge and faith to contribute positively to a peaceful society, based on highest divine principles.

In addition, modern education, religious studies were compulsory in school, he said.

“We have launched a ‘Sponsor an Orphan’ campaign to get financial support of 120,000 rupees per year to raise a child,” he said. He added that the residential educational institution, run by Mercy Pak, a registered charity, was trying to generate resources to avoid the closure of the educational institution.

“Consider this school for orphans as one of your priority areas for financial assistance, as there are no other sources to continue running this facility at this time. It will be a tragedy if this orphan facility is closed only for financial reasons, ”said Dr Faqir.

Posted in Dawn, le 6 May 2019