Continuing Malala's Dream - Educating Pakistan

Education being the fundamental human right, stands most important element in evolution of human progress and nation development. It develops capabilities to fight against injustice, violence, corruption and many other social evils. Sustainable socioeconomic development of a country depends on substantial investment in its human capital through education and skill development. Educated people work as an effective tool in accepting and adopting innovative ideas and means of productivity/technologies, ensuring the elimination of economic and social ailments. Further, as a dividend, it brings socio-economic progress as well as prosperity in the country. An educated and skilled nation is productive enough to accelerate economic growth through expanded vision, creativity and, innovations in the country.

According to the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) district level Survey 2019-20, the literacy rate of population (10 years and above) is stagnant at 60 percent in 2019-20 since 2014-15. The literacy rate is higher in urban areas (74 percent) than in rural areas (52 percent). Province wise analysis suggests that Punjab has the highest literacy rate, with 64 percent followed by Sindh with 58 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Excluding Merged Areas) with 55 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Including Merged Areas) with 53 percent and Balochistan with 46 percent

The provincial governments have prioritized areas of interventions in education sector such as provision of missing facilities, improvement of the physical infrastructure, establishment of IT/Science labs, up-gradation of girls and boys primary schools to middle, high and secondary levels, construction of new boys and girls schools and colleges, provision of scholarship through endowment funds and other scholarship schemes. Early Childhood Education (ECE) at Primary level and strengthening of Provincial Institutes of Teacher Education (PITE) and other areas of interventions. Education Foundations have been provided sufficient resources by the provinces. The development budget has also been allocated for capacity building of teachers to provide quality education and for the establishment of the cadet colleges to meet the prerequisites of education. However, this is still not enough, leaving behind a large number of children unable to access education.

NUR Foundation has been providing education to the underprivileged communities (without any discrimination of age/gender/caste/religion, etc.) through its chain of formal and informal schools in underdeveloped and neglected areas of Lahore. Every year, approximately 1800 students pass out from our schools. The current students enrolled in NCOP Schools located in Malikpur/Talwara, Lakhudair, Nainsukh and Gajjumatta total 1476.

In addition to this, NUR Foundation has also started the initiative of Adult Literacy Program in which 30 adult females are currently enrolled. The objective of this program is to provide the basic level of education to adult women who have never been to a school before.

We still have to keep in mind the impact of COVID19 on our projects and the education system in Pakistan especially in rural areas. Such areas require more attention and support. Since we also have to move towards digital reliance for educating these poor children, our schools required IT equipment for which we require your continued support.

Our donors are the biggest support we have and because of your support we have reached this far. There is a long way to go and that is only possible when you keep providing us with assistance. We look forward to generous donations from all our valued donors.

Thank you.