Rita Cosby interviews The American International School System Foundation board member Richard Pinal on Tuesday, December 20, 2011on WOR News Talk Radio about teaching American values and democracy in Lahore, Pakistan.
Rita Cosby interviews The American International School System Founder Dr. Munr Kazmir on Friday, September 23, 2011on WOR News Talk Radio about teaching American values and democracy in Lahore, Pakistan.
Transcript
Rita Cosby: What is even more important, and I think even more heroic, out of what our next guest is doing, I want to bring in Doctor Munr Kazmir. He is the CEO and founder of I think one of the most incredible and important projects out there. It’s called the American International School System and it is a school breathing democracy and freedom – those important and powerful messages and guess where it is? In the heart of Pakistan. And joining us now is Doctor Kazmir. What a pleasure to have you on, sir.
Dr. Kazmir: Likewise, Rita.
Rita Cosby: How did you come up with this idea? I think it is so important especially as we hear the words of Mike Mullen talking about terrorism and maybe inter-relationships with the ISI behind maybe some attacks. Having an American school in Pakistan is courageous and I think so important Doctor Kazmir.
Dr. Kazmir: After 9/11 we came up with an idea to build relationships between children to children. And, that’s why we started the American school in 2007. And we have had another successful great year – thank God. We are growing an eighth grade. Our school will be starting an eighth grade and starting next year a high school. We have new students and so many new faces and I tell you that we are doing an amazing job: getting a scholarship to the children of law enforcement and the media and the poor children. And, we have a – through education, especially early education, we take children from the age of three or four and we teach them what America is all about and an American education and teach with American teachers. So it’s an amazing job we are doing. We have a plan to build the school housing for the American teachers. This year we will also be adding two hundred and seventy new students and building a boarding for the new students. Our high school can hold up to twelve hundred kids. And, this is important because we need to build a strong relationship between our two nations – children to children. And that is what we are focusing on. I agree with Mike Mullen because on one hand this is unfortunately what’s happening. But we continue to grow and educating their children and give them an American education and American values.
Rita Cosby: Well that’s what I was wondering Doctor Kazmir, do you think that you can sort of break the cycle by doing that especially starting at the younger and showing them there is this great way called democracy. And terrorism, poverty, those things are not the way to go. Having an education and having hope…
Dr. Kazmir: You know Rita, when you take kids three or four years old, and the youngest kids in the family, you teach them what America is all about – democracy, equal rights, opportunity, he is going to tell his family, brothers and sisters, parents and other family, and tell them American values – I think that is where we can start. And, we are doing an amazing job and I tell you, I thank all the listeners who helped us to build the library. We have a great library where we put American books and computers and all the modern technology. So we are doing this and I think it’s day-by-day but we are making a difference.
Rita Cosby: And, by the way, you have been honored by many people across the country. I know that Governor Chris Christie’s recognized your work. Representative Carolyn Maloney in New York. So many others have given you a lot of accolades. Why do you think, as an American, it’s important to do this? You obviously have such a passion and you such a devotion to this country. Why did you think it was critical?
Dr. Kazmir: Through education and what you’re mentioning all this happening because if we teach the child through early age, he understands what America is all about. And that is what we need. So I think we have – you know we spend a lot of money on universities and at colleges but we are not really focusing on the early education.
Rita Cosby: Where do you get the funds and how tough is it set to get this. Do people recognize the importance?
Dr. Kazmir: Well, some people they do. And, I am funding this one and we have a lot of friends from around the world, especially from the United States and they’re helping us by contributing through our foundation – AISSFoundation.org. They go and contribute. And through that we are making a difference. We have a lot of American teachers. We have a young man from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Missouri and Michigan and they traveled and they are making a difference teaching young Muslim children. And, I think if you called a hero it’s the young American at twenty-two, twenty-four or twenty-five years old they are teaching Muslim children day-by-day and making a difference. And our impact is not only in Lahore – we have a school in Lahore but we are beyond Lahore. We bring the teachers from all over the country to teach them and now they can go back and give the lecture to their classroom. And so the American School is doing amazing stuff.
Rita Cosby: Well you’re doing amazing stuff and I hope you inspire other people who are listening out there because it shows that one person can make a huge difference and you being in the heart of Pakistan with an incredible school called the American International School System. I really applaud you Doctor Kazmir and it’s great to have you on.
Dr. Kazmir: Likewise, Rita but it’s everybody. If I would say it’s a school and I am just a person, it’s about America. It does not belong to me – it’s America’s school so it’s everybody that’s a partner here. So please if you have – go to AISSFoundation.org.
Rita Cosby: OK so it’s AISS – as in American International School System – AISSFoundation.org to get more information about this amazing school which is making a huge difference in the heart of Pakistan – pushing for democracy, peace and, American values. Congratulations in all you do. Hope to have you back on again, sir.
Dr. Kazmir: Thank you; I look forward, Thank you, bye-bye.
Rita Cosby: And, everybody we will be right back. What an amazing person and I think really a message of making a difference.
Approximately 41% of Pakistani girls fail to complete primary schooling, according to a report published by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) entitled “Make It Right: Ending the Crisis in Girls’ Education.”
Educating girls and women is one of the most important investments a society can make.
Not only does it help them build self-confidence, make informed decisions, critically evaluate information, which is crucial in the battle against extremism — it has a economic multiplier effect. That’s because educated women are key to a more educated workforce, an efficient labor force, higher productivity, and a greater progress of economic development. Their children are also healthier, and better educated, as they use their own education to nurture the next generation.
The biggest barrier to girl’s education in Pakistan is a lack of access. According to a different report by the United Nations in 2010, 80% of primary schools in rural areas of Pakistan are open to boys while only 50 percent were open to girls.
The American International School System is already helping to redress this issue by providing a primary education for both boys and girls. We believe that if girls are given the chance to learn and thrive in safe schools with good teachers, it will lead to a more secure and prosperous Pakistan.
Published in the Asia Despatch by Muhammad Younas Afridi & Barbara Gallo
“According to several studies and panel of experts, the revival of Pakistan, and especially the tribal areas, will take place starting from schools. The challenge of education is really important because it allows for stopping the fundamentalism drift which has taken the country. But it is schools that are the ‘number one target’ of the Taliban, which have long since declared war for all. But up to now most of public resources and large part of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are allocated in army and security tools and also the international community, primarily USA, allocates military aid and weapons, without looking at the real needs of the people, who are tired of violent attacks.
“Education is indeed the real ‘national emergency’, more than economics and security. The threat of the Talibans find its strength in subjugating the masses or annihilating the few dissenting voices; extremist feed on the poor education of people. In fact, ‘with a population of 180 million people, almost half of which is less than 18 years of age, Pakistani youth are the demographic dividend who will determinate the country’s future progress. When in fact children miss out on their right to education, it is not only they who suffer the consequences through loss opportunities in life, but the entire social, cultural and economic peaceful development of the countries loses, too.’”
LONDON, (APP): The visiting Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said without eradicating the scourge of extremism and terrorism, Pakistan cannot progress nor attract foreign investment in the country. Addressing the South Asian business community here last evening, he said the foreign entrepreneurs were reluctant to do business in Pakistan even though the country has liberal investment policies because of the poor law and order situation brought about by terrorist activities.
“We cannot allow our country to go down as we all have to stand up and face and fight the problem collectively.”- Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif
A study into the economic impact of learning English in developing countries has concluded that the language can increase the earning power of individuals by around 25% and that developing economies need access to English if they are to grow and position themselves in the global economy.
The Foundation aims to double the annual AISS scholarship award level over the next two years. 87% of students attending the American International School System in Pakistan are on scholarship.
These scholarships would not be possible without all of the help and support of the Foundation.
The core of our teaching is to create well-rounded citizens by replacing ignorance with knowledge and building cultural bridges with the United States that develop hope, tolerance and understanding.
By providing a world-class education, The American International School System Foundation is helping Pakistan become more prosperous, secure and democratic.
The Scholarship Program of the Foundation is funded entirely with donations and we ask you to join us in our cause to fight illiteracy and help us bring hope and happiness to the children of Pakistan.
Students gather on the front lawn of the final day of classes.
Today, students and staff said their goodbyes as the school year comes to an end, but their farewells will just be for a few months during summer vacation.
We would like to specially thank our Foundation’s supporters for allowing us the opportunity to
educate and reach children in Pakistan.
This year has been extremely successful. We’ve worked hard to increase our students’ proficiency levels, the amount of parental involvement activities we offer, and the availability of technology in each classroom.
Our plans for the upcoming school year include expanding to the eighth grade and developing programs that reach even deeper into the local community.
We wish everyone a happy and safe summer. And, we look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
AISS Founder, Dr. Munr Kazmir joined Ritz Cosby on the The Steve Malzberg Show today (WOR Radio 710 AM) to discuss the American International School System and Foundation.
The right to think is the beginning of freedom. And as such, our school’s library is the hub of the American International School System’s mission of training independent thinkers who are able to stand up against violence and extremism.
And at our school in Lahore, we outgrew our library’s current space. Check-outs and requests for materials increases each passing day. The library is a resource center open to teachers, students and families as well as the whole community.
Over a two-week period, the Foundation successfully raised $9,780 to expand our school library.
This funding will provide for increased square footage of the library, chairs and tables for study, new shelving and of course more books.
The American International School System Foundation, Inc., is
AISS Foundation, Inc.
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