Impact Story: Noor Grammar School, Pakistan
Founded in January 2016 by Sehrish Ikram, Noor Grammar School began with just 30 students and seven teachers. Sehrish's goal was to make quality education more accessible to children in her community, but she encountered numerous challenges from the start, including financial issues, managing school operations, and a lack of adequate teacher training. Despite these obstacles, Sehrish persevered, growing the school steadily over the years.
By 2023, Noor Grammar School had expanded to 170 students and 13 teachers, but it was still struggling to achieve its full potential. That year, the school joined EduQuality, a program by Opportunity EduFinance, which provided the structured support it needed to take its growth to the next level.
Through EduQuality’s School Leadership Professional Development (SLPD) workshops, Sehrish and her staff began implementing key changes. One of the most important improvements was the introduction of child protection policies, including the elimination of corporal punishment, ensuring a safer learning environment for all students. EduQuality’s training also enhanced the school’s financial management practices, leading to the development of a one-year business plan that has helped ensure financial sustainability.
“The teacher mentor training provided by EduQuality has been a game-changer for us. In affordable non-state schools like ours, access to professional development is rare. Now, our teacher mentors are sharing their skills with their peers, leading to better classroom management and improved behavior from our students. We’ve also noticed much stronger engagement from parents.” - Ms. Sehrish Ikram
Noor Grammar School has also improved its relationship with the community. Before joining EduQuality, interactions with parents were often difficult. However, through better communication and active involvement in school affairs, the school has built stronger ties with families, leading to increased collaboration in the education of their children.
Today, Noor Grammar School continues to grow and thrive, not only enhancing its academic standards but also becoming a key part of the community. The school’s journey showcases the lasting impact of EduQuality’s approach, empowering school leaders like Sehrish to implement sustainable improvements and foster stronger partnerships with families and the wider community.