We have come a long way since our very first publication, the Teachers’ Resource Centre Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 1, which was only seven pages long, photocopied on yellow A-4 paper! With time, we learnt more about design and layout and very early on, invested in the Apple Mac for our in-house, desktop publishing needs. We have become much more design savvy over the years, trying out various reader-friendly page layouts with illustrations, graphics and photographs.

The TRC Newsletter gradually evolved from yellow, to black and white, to two colours and then in 2001, we introduced a four colour cover. The TRC Newsletter was published on a quarterly basis from 1987 to 2003. It was discontinued for the period July 2003 – June 2004 for multiple reasons. We were short on funds and a qualified team, specially for the Urdu section and we wanted to be more eco-friendly, save paper and give members an on-line version. It was not to be! At the Annual General Body meeting in December 2003, members urged us to revert to the printed copy. Some even volunteered their time to assist with translations and Urdu typing. A five member editorial team began planning, researching, writing, translating and editing, and in 2005, the bi-annual educational resource Ilm o Amal was born.

The 24 page TRC Newsletter carried articles written by teachers and other professionals working with children. Different articles were carried in the Urdu and English sections … bi-lingual readers certainly had an advantage! Distribution was and continues to be free for members and other interested organisations and individuals. Some issues are here for you to download.

Older Issues of the TRC Newsletter

2003

January - March
Newsletter: Jan - Mar 2003 (1.09 MB)
Title Page: Jan - Mar 2003 (152 KB)

April - June
Newsletter: Apr - Jun 2003 (384 KB)
Title Page: Apr - Jun 2003 (1.59 MB)

2002

January - March
Newsletter: Jan - Mar 2002 (1.27 MB)
Title Page: Jan - Mar 2002 (1.37 MB)

April - June
Newsletter: Apr - Jun 2002 (612 KB)
Title Page: Apr - Jun 2002 (656 KB)

July - September
Newsletter: Jul - Sept 2002 (720 KB)

October - December
Newsletter:s Oct - Dec 2002 (552 KB)
Title Page: Oct - Dec 2002 (416 KB)

For various teachers’ handbooks and an ECE advocacy resource for district managers, please visit our Resources section. If you are interested in purchasing any of our publications and learning resources, visit our Products section.

From 1987 to 1989 we restricted our publications to the TRC Newsletter. It was in 1990 that we began another publication, this time for children. Alif Ujala was supported by UNICEF. You will find a list and brief description of publications from 1990 to 1999 on this page.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Development Manual (1999)

A set of five modules, available in both Urdu and English, developed in collaboration with the Bureau of Curriculum and Extension Wing (BCEW), Sindh Education Foundation (SEF), The British Council and funded by the Department for International Development (DFID). Each module is complete in itself and can be used independently or in different combinations. They cover the following topics: how to conduct a successful training programme, PTA formation, PTAs & social mobilisation, PTAs & school development and PTAs & resource mobilization.

Rahnuma-e-Asatza (1994)

Funded by UNICEF, this trainer's guide in Urdu was developed as part of the Lyari Street School Project. It provides support for teachers to teach language, maths and science, at the primary level using an activity-based approach.

Bits & Pieces (1993)

A manual featuring art activities, using low-cost/no-cost junk materials as a resource for art teachers. All the art and craft activities embody the concept of recycling and reusing waste material. Solicited and compiled by TRC from contributions by teachers, parents and students, the manual is suitable for primary school children.

Thar Ki Ek Larki (1993)

This book was produced by TRC as part of the Environmental Education project, in response to teachers' request for quality reading material on environmental themes, in Urdu. Thar ki Ek Larki is set in the Thar desert and narrated by a young girl, who treats the reader as an intimate friend. The reader can glean a wealth of information about Tharparkar as she shares the seemingly inconsequential details of her life.

Khel Khel Mein (1993)

UNICEF commissioned this teacher's handbook of 100 co-curricular activities to reinforce their girls' basic education programme in rural areas. The low- cost, culturally appropriate activities in Urdu, foster language, maths and social development among primary children. The booklet targets teachers in rural areas.

Ibtida-e-Bachpan ki Taleem (1993)

The handbook is a guide for pre-primary teachers towards understanding the developmental needs of pre-school children, implementing an appropriate curriculum, equipping and organising a classroom, establishing a daily routine and maintaining individual progress records. Supported by UNICEF, the handbook has been published in both, Urdu and English.

Khel Kahani (1992)

Commissioned by UNICEF, this teacher's handbook addresses the task of school readiness for rural girls aged 8-13 attending school for the first time. It contains a selection of original stories and traditional folk tales, with 25 related lesson plans in Urdu.

Funline (1991 - 1992)

In March 1991, TRC began producing a 68 page monthly children's magazine, for 8-12 year olds, in collaboration with Newsline Publications (Pvt) Ltd. Both children and adults contributed news articles, fiction and non-fiction, art work and puzzles to the magazine. TRC was responsible for the editorial content. School teachers used Funline as resource material for their classes. The magazine was discontinued due to lack of funds.

Gulistan (1990 - 2000)

An 8 page, quarterly publication in Urdu, Gulistan had a thematic approach. Each issue of Gulistan focused on an environmentally significant theme.

Alif Ujala (1990)

This children’s magazine, was funded by UNICEF, and intended for children between 8-12 years of age. Each issue carried stories, poems, information and cartoon strips based on environmental themes, such as water, traffic, food, plants, vaccination and animals.