In uncertain times, encountering unique and refreshing work can reignite hope and restore faith. Genuine individuals, often hidden from the public eye, are tirelessly giving back to communities without seeking personal recognition.
A hidden gem, AST High School is located in the suburbs of Jhelum, Punjab. The school stands tall on the sprawling, lush green grounds, with the Grand Trunk Road on one side and the village Haji Aima on the other. It has been operating for the past five years.
AST High School for girls and boys is the brainchild of retired General Muhammad Afzal, aimed at paving the path of growth and development for the future generation of his village community. It stands as a truly innovative school with the potential to revolutionise the concept of learning.
The AST model of education transforms learning into empowerment by providing students with up-to-date knowledge and skills in computer sciences, information and communication technologies, design, arts and crafts, languages, e-commerce, business development, incubation centres, and much more.
At AST High School, the emphasis is on identifying each student's aptitude and guiding them to excel in their strengths rather than pressuring them to achieve grades through rote learning. This distinctive system is designed to instill confidence in students and empower them to flourish in their chosen fields
In the contemporary Pakistani school education model, students graduate after ten years without acquiring remarkable skills. Regardless of their chosen field, they often need to start from the basics, incurring additional costs and posing a financial burden on their families. Many talented individuals find their potential wasted due to the pressure to quickly secure employment and the associated financial constraints.
The AST model of education is grounded in the core principle that learning is the basic right of every child, and each child possesses the potential to learn. However, unlocking this potential requires providing opportunities, a conducive atmosphere, and diligent guidance to allow their true capabilities to shine through.
At AST High School, the emphasis is on identifying each student's aptitude and guiding them to excel in their strengths rather than pressuring them to achieve grades through rote learning. This distinctive system is designed to instill confidence in students and empower them to flourish in their chosen fields.
The school mostly serves underprivileged children, with only a nominal tuition fee, yet there is no compromise on the quality of education. Every child receives books, bags, and uniforms free of cost. The bright faces and enthusiasm of the students stand as a testament to the school's success.
What sets AST apart is the coexistence of three schools on the premises. The first school is AST High School with classes from the first grade to O' levels. It has 500 enrolled students across various grades. The students have access to a wide range of extra reading material along with the school curriculum. The staff includes trained teachers, administrative staff and visiting trainers.
The second school, School of Information, Communication and Technology, is where currently 30 students from grades ninth and tenth are enrolled for diploma courses in e-commerce and certified Microsoft courses. The school also offers certified courses in civil engineering, quality survey, Microsoft professional diploma in artificial intelligence, Microsoft professional diploma in Robotics, graphic designing, big data mining and professional film editing.
The courses are carefully chosen to align with market demands, enabling certified students to enhance their skills online and explore opportunities in the global market through the Internet. This empowers them to earn independently after completing just ten years of education. The AST computer lab serves as a breeding ground for potential young entrepreneurs and future leaders, charting new horizons for tomorrow's world. The school is duly registered and approved by TEVTA and the Punjab Board of Technical Education to ensure successful candidates receive certifications upon course completion.
The third school, the School of Arts and Crafts, offers a range of certified courses of varying durations to students from the eighth grade onwards. The concept behind this school is that although the world is moving fast in digital innovations and artificial intelligence, it is important to keep the connection with your tradition and culture. Learning arts and crafts is the best way to keep students rooted in their culture and value the traditions that are transferred by artisans and craftsmen from generation to generation. This is also another means of empowerment of the individual as it promotes the importance of doing work with their hands, learning from the master craftsmen and later even adding layers of their own creativity to their work.
The School of Arts and Crafts is officially registered with the Punjab Skill Development Authority, which issues certifications to successful candidates upon course completion. AST has established a comprehensive marketing system for selling select products created in the school through its on-site gallery and e-marketing platforms, where customers can purchase and place orders. Products are sold with the branding and certification obtained by AST from relevant departments.
Around 20% of the profit contributes to the school's running and operational costs, while 80% goes directly to the craftsmen. The current courses offered by the school include ceramics, pottery making, candle making and handloom weaving. All these crafts are taught by master craftsmen hired by the school for various courses.
The fourth school in the pipeline is AST School of Languages, which is another great initiative for the empowerment of youth.
It's truly remarkable to witness someone thinking about underprivileged children in a way that elevates their life chances to a whole new level. The enrolled children are indeed fortunate to embark on this incredible journey with AST, where they will receive guidance to discover the right paths toward progress, prosperity, and success.