IFC appraise the performance of PEF

Lahore: The model of free education enunciated by Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) in Punjab- the population-wise biggest province of Pakistan was pertinently appreciated by the participants of IFC’s 6th Private International Education Conference which held in San Francisco, USA. Theme of the conference was “Rethinking Education, Shaping the Future.”

Academicians and educational experts from more than ninety countries of the world participated in the said conference and discussed various issues relating to education sector in their countries. On the occasion, educational experts as well as international donors involved in education related projects in Pakistan termed the PEF mode of education involving the private partners as economical and useful for the developing countries.

During the course of discussion on low-cost private schools, panelists said that public private partnership based model of free education in Punjab has proved very successful in roping in 1.4 million deserving children. They observed that PEF is the most useful and cost-effective model which has been designed according to socio-economic needs of the Pakistani society.

Chairman, Punjab Education Foundation, Raja Anwar gave a brief sketch on various initiatives of the foundation to the participants. He told that PEF has introduced many useful interventions including free education, institutional mechanism of banning corporal punishment, encouragement of girls education, teachers’ training and opening the doors of education to the children from minority communities. These interventions have helped the poor to improve their quality of life.

He disclosed that PEF has also introduced the free voucher scheme which is, by far, the biggest scheme of its kind in the whole world. Vouchers have been issued to one lakh and 60 thousand deserving students to study in PEF partner schools of choice.  PEF has rekindled hope and aspirations in the impecunious strata to send their children to schools. This has promoted a softer image of Pakistan, he added.

It is sanguine that the provincial government of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Pakistan has always been very supportive to PEF, both in terms of providing finance and encouragement to this program, he said.

Raja Anwar further said that promotion of quality education in Pakistan will help to attain the cherished goals of progress and prosperity as it’s the rightful answer to social tribulations and a best gift to the children of Pakistan who are the custodians of a rich civilization. Speakers from different countries also spoke on the occasion and shared their experiences.