Adopt a public school
in Pakistan

According to the Human Development in South Asia's 1998 report, 70 per cent of the schools in Pakistan have no toilets, 68 percent no drinking water, 92 percent no playgrounds, 60 per cent no boundary walls and 16 percent are without a building.

A delegation from the UK to Pakistan has also noted a lack of desks, books, blackboards, electricity, doors, and windows, not to mention the problem of overcrowded classrooms. And the phenomena of "ghost schools", institutions which receive government grants but do not exist, are now common knowledge.

These are just some of the realities of Pakistani public schools, especially in rural areas. The country's public school system was once able to churn out literate, disciplined students. Today, it is a cesspool of corruption and backwardness.

Although Pakistani prime minister Pervez Musharraf has promised to raise the amount of government expenditure on education, what he's allotted for 2001-2002 (a little over two percent of the country's GDP) will provide Pakistan's public schools with little relief.

Would you want your children attending schools like those described above? Would any parent want their child to?

Most parents wouldn't. That's why a number of Pakistanis are turning to private schools to provide their kids with a quality education. But considering that most parents cannot afford this, tomorrow's generation of Pakistanis are doomed to receive a more than substandard education if the don't get outside help.

That's where you come in. You can sponsor the education of one child or even two. But why not do something on an even larger scale? Sponsor or "adopt" a public school and help provide for its needs. That way you'll be benefiting not only a few children, you'll be helping a whole neighborhood.

If you attended a public school in Pakistan as a child, start off by contacting your alma mater. Better yet, pay it a visit. Not only will this allow you take a walk down memory lane, it will also give you a firsthand look at what exactly the school needs.

Then, adopt the school for a specific period of time. You can commit to support it for a semester, a year or more. Make sure that your money is administered by someone you trust, either at the school or outside of it. Instead of giving a lump sum that can be used for any project, why not specify what the money is to be used for? For instance, if the school does not have toilets, offer to pay for their installation. Or you can specify that your donation is for teachers' salaries for one year. It's a good idea to talk to the administration to see what they need the most before you commit to donating for a specific project.

If you don't feel comfortable doing this on your own, contact an organization which has adopt-a-school projects, like PASBAN. This group invites Pakistanis to sponsor the needs and maintenance of the country's public schools. You can still donate to your alma mater if you choose through them.

Make sure to get regular updates on the school's progress and how your project has benefited the children. Visit the school again after the project you supported has been completed and find out anonymously from teachers and students how your support has made a difference.

Then take this information, bring it back with you to the US, and show your family and friends how they can change the face of Pakistan in a small but substantial way by adopting a public school too.

Date/Time Last Modified: 6/17/2002 3:47:34 PM

Readers' Comment

azra sarfraz: 2/25/2006 6:14:44 AM
i have a set up a small school with my own efforts at my village.i have about 100 students.the problem of non avaiability of teachers is directly effecting the school performance.i need some financial support to pay more pay that is minimum 3000 PM but with my present set uyp i am able pay only 1000-1500 pay to my teachers with 50 rs fee/PM which student cant afford.now i am finding it difficut to run it from my own funds.i neede someone to support this [roject.It is a registered school and my village need it badly.CAN U HELP ME waiting for +ve response

Shahnaz Khan: 2/25/2006 9:56:47 AM
Assalamo Alaikum, we received your message through our web site needing help for your school. Please give us more information about the school before we can give you an answer; Where is the school located, how many classes, how many teachers, how long has it been in operation, are you doiing it as a business and a ways to make a living or is it run on a non profit basis, is there a fee for the students, what is current annual budget, how it is being currently met. thanks. Shahnaz Khan Co-Chair HDF baord of Directors

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