Reaching out to the world through Expo 2020 Dubai

DUBAI The most talked about change-maker in the field of education in Pakistan, The Citizen’s Foundation (TCF), is one of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Best Practice Programme winners, and is all set to showcase the facets of its transformational model at the world’s greatest show that opens on October 20 this year. Today, as the world marks the second International Day of Education, TCF speaks about its synergy with Expo 2020’s commitment to promoting education, one of humanity’s greatest renewable resources.

“Being part of Expo 2020 will showcase TCF to millions of visitors, including other countries and multilateral organisations, enabling us to share our almost 25 years of knowledge and experience with others who will be able to learn from that to enhance their own education programmes,” says Ateed Riaz, Co-Founder and Chairman, The Citizens Foundation.

“Not only was it a great honour to be selected for the Expo 2020 Global Best Practice Programme, but it will make a real difference to our goal to reach two million agents of positive change by 2030.”

The sight of these schools in Karachi sparked a philanthropic movement with Pakistanis offering to sponsor schools if TCF would build and manage them

- Ateed Riaz, Co-Founder and Chairman, The Citizens Foundation

The journey of TCF has now become a modern-day legend. It’s proof of what individuals’ vision and dedication can achieve in uplifting society.

“In 1995, five businessmen and an architect sat down at a table, armed with pencils and notebooks, to confront a question: What can we do, as citizens, to correct [their country’s] trajectory?” says Riaz. “Pakistan has the second highest number of out-of-school children in the world, after Nigeria, and it is the world’s sixth largest country. So The Citizens’ Foundation was formed. They would leverage their experience of building companies – TCF’s management team come from firms such as Citibank, Shell, Exxon Mobil – to build a network of 1,000 schools for the country’s poorest, out-of-school children.”

The group put their own money into a pilot to build 5 schools (900 students) in Karachi’s worst slums that did not have electricity, sanitation, and clean water. The schools were oases of learning and empowerment with playgrounds, libraries and separate toilets for boys and girls.

“The sight of these schools in Karachi sparked a philanthropic movement with Pakistanis offering to sponsor schools if TCF would build and manage them,” says Riaz.

TCF has since evolved into one of the world’s largest networks of formal schools for less-privileged communities, managing 1,567 school units with an enrolment of 252,000 students. Almost half – 48 per cent – of students are girls because of TCF’s decision to hire only women as teachers and principals. The Foundation is the largest private employer of women in Pakistan with an all-female faculty of 12,000 teachers and principals. Notably, TCF’s all-female faculty includes 513 women who have graduated from TCF schools.

“For a country like Pakistan, the most important thing is to ensure girls remain in school and are able to complete their education,” says Riaz. “TCF develops its own textbooks and curriculum incorporating global research on 21st-century learning and skills. Our faculty is trained every year and encouraged to incorporate modern practices in their teaching. The fact that they are women also contributes to female empowerment.”

In 2016, TCF departed from its model of building schools and took over 257 government schools. Today, it is advising governments and brokering diverse public and private partnership agreements.

TCF's ambassadors of hope

Khusboo:

It’s 7am in Bhai Khan Ghangro, a small village about 28 kilometres from Larkana in Sindh, Pakistan. Ten-year-old Khushboo is getting ready for school. She is in Grade 6. But before that, Khusboo, who wakes up at 5am, helps her grandmother clean the house and prepare food for the family. Her mother cares for her four younger siblings and embroiders traditional Sindi caps to earn extra money.

Khushboo’s father is a rickshaw driver. Business is tough. He usually ends up making Rs.100 (0.71 cents) after a long day’s work.

Khushboo wants to become a teacher when she grows up. “My teachers are very friendly, they make us learn all the good things so that we grow up to be better human beings.”

Naaz Bibi:

As the bell rings for lunch break at TCF School in Surbander, Gwadar, Naaz Bibi, a 10th grade student, makes her way home. Anxiously awaiting her return is Naaz’s infant daughter, Manhal, whose face lights up as her mother gets ready to feed her.

“I was married at 12, in eighth grade. After eight months of marriage, my husband, Ghulam, passed away,” Naaz recalls. “Just a few months before our daughter was born.”

With the support of her family, Naaz returned to school right after her ‘iddat’ (waiting period for a widow).

This year, Naaz appeared for her matriculation exams. “My teachers are really kind. They make adjustments to support me with my responsibilities at home,” she reveals. “They have helped me push through during hard times.” Naaz dreams of becoming a teacher so that she can give other children the opportunity to learn as well.