An Oasis of Literacy in a Desert of Poverty: A Case Study of a Rural School for the Underprivileged in Southern Punjab

This study is an attempt to investigate the impact of educational facilities of a school on various aspects of self-efficacy, confidence, and character building of the underprivileged people in Dera Jutta, a village in Southern Punjab. Trust for Rural Uplift and Community Education (TRUCE) was initiated in the year 2000, and under its auspices, Nafisa Mai School was started. To gain insight into the project, data were collected from students of Grade 10 and teachers of all classes with the help of semistructured interviews and in-depth probes. Detailed classroom observations were also conducted to gain insight into the facilities and methodology. Data were analyzed by coding them into themes. The results reveal a high level of student satisfaction related to the academic and cocurricular facilities and activities. Findings also show that although many students drop out after primary and middle school, 100% success rate is witnessed in terms of pass percentage at the matriculation level. The teachers' interviews portray immense satisfaction and dedication in terms of job satisfaction and facilities. The greatest impact revealed both by students and teachers however was not just in terms of academic achievement but in various aspects of self-efficacy, confidence, and character building. The entire village and its adjoining areas have benefited from the school initiative, along with other community ventures of TRUCE in empowering the community.