Creating Sustainable Change: EduQuality’s Role in Enhancing Education in Pakistan

Pakistan faces some of the world’s most pressing educational challenges. With nearly 23 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 out of school, representing 44% of the total population in this age group, the need for a transformation in education is clear. The barriers to education, particularly for girls, are profound, from poverty and cultural norms to a lack of infrastructure and qualified teachers. This has created a critical need for innovative solutions to provide quality education in both the public and private sectors.

EduQuality, a program of Opportunity EduFinance , launched in 2023 in Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) and local financial institutions such as AGAHE, RCDP, and Taleem Finance.

Focused on affordable non-state schools, EduQuality provides school leaders and teachers with professional development tools and resources to improve the quality of education. The program uses digital content and in-person training to help schools develop leadership, teaching, and learning practices over three years.

In its first year, EduQuality has partnered with 150 schools across Punjab, reaching districts like Rajanpur, Vehari, Nankana, and Multan. The early results are promising, with school leaders embracing the structured support and training provided through the program to enhance school management, financial planning, and classroom instruction.

Below, we share two case studies of schools that are part of EduQuality, highlighting the tangible improvements they have experienced to date.

Muslim School of Science, Punjab, Pakistan

The Muslim School of Science, located in Basti Khuda Yar Wala village in Tibba Sultan Pur, was founded in March 2015 with just 35 students and two staff members.

The village’s distance from the nearest government school, coupled with security concerns for children, prompted the establishment of this non-state school to provide a safe and accessible learning environment. The school began with only two rooms but has since grown to a facility with 15 classrooms and basic amenities, offering pre-primary, middle, and secondary education.

Since joining EduQuality in 2023, the Muslim School of Science has benefited from school improvement loans, receiving PKR 500,000 (USD 1800) through Opportunity EduFinance’s partnership with Agahe, a local microfinance institution. These funds have been used to expand classroom space, build a boundary wall for security, and improve overall infrastructure. Additionally, the school has grown  to 15 teaching staff and increased enrolment to 473 students, with a notable rise in the number of girls attending (203 girls and 270 boys).

School leader Ghulam Abbad credits Opportunity EduFinance for introducing effective financial management and school improvement strategies.

The Pathway to Excellence materials provided us with a thorough framework for school self-assessment, and the School Leader Exercise Booklet has greatly enhanced our approach to school culture and management,” Abbad noted.

Pathways to Excellence (P2E) is a self-assessment tool that helps school leaders identify strengths and areas for improvement across 18 domains of school quality, grouped into School Culture, School Management, and Teaching & Learning. Leaders use the results to create focused development plans, targeting 2-5 areas for growth each year. This process empowers leaders to drive continuous improvement, ensuring long-term quality enhancement beyond the EduQuality program.

Mr. Abbad further explains the school’s commitment to a child-friendly, safe learning environment has also strengthened since banning corporal punishment and focusing on positive behavior management strategies shared through the EduQuality program.

Noor Grammar School, Punjab, Pakistan

For Sehrish Ikram, starting Noor Grammar School in Muredki in 2016 was the realization of a lifelong dream. Facing early challenges in school management, financial constraints, and teacher training, Ms. Sehrish Ikram persevered, and today the school has grown from 30 students to 170, with 13 teachers on staff. The school saw significant improvements after joining EduQuality, which provided the tools and support necessary for further development.

Before joining the program, Noor Grammar School struggled with maintaining positive relationships with the community and managing school finances. The school also lacked proper policies on child protection. EduQuality’s School Leadership Professional Development (SLPD) workshops have been instrumental in turning things around. Through training on child protection policies and budget management, the school has created a safe environment for students, banned corporal punishment, and developed a one-year business plan to track and optimize financial performance. Ms. Ikram is also very pleased with  the impact of EduQuality’s teacher mentor professional development.

The teacher mentor training is a remarkable initiative. In affordable private schools like ours, these opportunities for professional development are rare. The teacher mentors are now spreading their learnings to others, and we’ve noticed improved behavior from students and better engagement from parents.” – Ms. Sehrish Ikram

Teacher Mentor Training in EduQuality uses a training-of-trainers (ToT) model to equip selected mentors with the skills to train their peers through professional development, classroom observations, and coaching. Combining in-person training with digital content, the program helps teachers build confidence, improve teaching practices, and work toward professional standards.

Noor Grammar School’s experience reflects the broader goals of EduQuality: to empower school leaders with the tools they need to not only improve academic outcomes but also foster strong community ties and provide a safe, nurturing space for children to learn.

These are just two of many school partner stories of ongoing impact. The journeys of Muslim School of Science and Noor Grammar School demonstrate the impact that the EduFinance model of structured school professional development and access to financing can have on improving education quality.

As the EduQuality program continues to grow, it is creating sustainable change in low-cost private schools by equipping leaders and teachers with the skills and tools to manage schools effectively. By focusing on self-assessment, strategic planning, and peer-led professional development, EduQuality fosters a continuous cycle of improvement. This approach not only enhances the quality of education but also builds the capacity of school staff to sustain these improvements independently, ensuring long-term impact in underserved communities.

With 150 schools already benefiting from EduQuality, the program is laying a strong foundation for the future of education in Pakistan. As these schools continue to grow, the ripple effects of improved education quality will be felt across communities, offering hope for a brighter future for children across the country, particularly for girls who face the greatest barriers to education. Through its comprehensive approach and commitment to building local capacity, EduQuality is paving the way for a more resilient and equitable education system, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to learn and thrive.

Read about Taleem Finance's gender-centric approach to education financing in Pakistan here!