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PETARIAN CONVENTION 2004
DECLARATION
B’ismiLlahi-r-Rahmani-r-Rahim
Over 400 ex-cadets converged upon Cadet College Petaro
on the weekend of 24-26 December 2004 for the Petarian Convention 2004 –
the first ever such event held in the history of Petaro.
Combined with the nearly 350 students from Classes 11 and 12 and
teachers, the total number of delegates was over 750. The theme of the
convention was “Petarians for Pakistan”
Various issues were discussed during the convention
with regards to Pakistan, Petaro and the role of Petarians in the
development of this country.
In particular, the delegates to the convention realized
that they got the “BEST AVAILABLE” education in Pakistan, which is
provided at Cadet College Petaro.
We Petarians are thankful to our teachers, to Cadet
College Petaro, and to our country for getting this “BEST AVAILABLE”
education in Pakistan, and we are well cognizant of this fact.
However, the delegates also realized that the “BEST
AVAILABLE” education in Pakistan is trailing way behind the rest of the
world.
Realizing the growing tremendous gap between this
“BEST” in Pakistan and the rest of the world, the delegates expressed a
desire to contribute towards:
- programs
for access of quality education for all Pakistanis
- aim
towards excellence in education at Cadet College Petaro and many other
similar institutions in the country
- identify
talent for grooming future leaders in Pakistan, and provide them the
opportunity to achieve this objective.
The delegates also expressed a realization that we
cannot bring about total change in this country, nor can we solve its
problems. However, we can work
towards change in focused areas, particularly with respect to Cadet College
Petaro and its programs.
In this regard, the delegates resolved to work towards:
- Improving
the standard of teachers and the quality of the educational programs
through teacher training and through encouraging open merit for teacher
selection at Cadet College Petaro
- Encouraging
and supporting programs of continuing education for teachers
- Generating
scholarship funds for creating equal opportunities for students who
cannot afford quality education
- Promoting
creativity, philosophical and ethical thought, and social sciences
education to enhance the need for value based education and
responsibility in society
- Evaluating
and supporting programs in other sectors of social and infrastructure
development
- Bringing
about change in society through personal example, civic responsibility,
introspection and self correction
- Supporting
research and development in Pakistan, moving from dependence on Western
technology to self-reliance
- Establishing
a solar lab at Cadet College Petaro, and a project to heat the swimming
pool with solar energy
- Developing
career development programs for students at Cadet College Petaro through
seminars, interactive sessions and internet websites
- Arranging
of funds for support of education in District Dadu
The delegates also recommended that the Board of
Governors of Cadet College Petaro should review its policy on seventh class,
and with the intention of possible revival of this program only for the
benefit of the poor rural class of Sindh without loopholes, and at an
appropriate time when the resources can be made available.
The delegates to the convention also demonstrated their
commitment to Cadet College Petaro by collecting a fund of over Rs. 30 lacs
which will be disbursed through the Petarian Foundation and utilized with
the cooperation of the Board of Governors of Cadet College Petaro for
funding better quality teachers at the college. The mode of disbursement and
allocation of details will be worked out in consultation and in conjunction
with the management and Board of Directors of Cadet College Petaro.
Finally, the delegates expressed their utmost gratitude
to the Chairman Board of Governors, the Principal/Commandant, all the Staff
members, all employees and workers right down to the bearers and peons at
Cadet College Petaro for making this convention into a memorable event for
ever.
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