The Education Crisis in Pakistan
Working Towards a Brighter Future
Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world with a rising illiteracy rate. In a country where 60 percent youth are illiterate and only 1 in 3 women in rural areas can read and write, HOPE has been working hard to reverse this trend. HOPE has implemented an innovative solution to helping children (and especially girls) in Pakistan’s rural and remote areas – HOPE home schools – whereby girls who ordinarily face multiple obstacles to obtaining an education are becoming teachers and role models in the community.
Together with our three formal schools, HOPE has an educational network which serves 11,000 students per year, 80 percent of these students are girls who have historically been neglected. We have coupled the chances of success for these students by promoting vocational training programs after high school whereby male and female students can empower themselves economically by pursuing training in computers and textile design. These students are also mentored to begin careers in the private sector, start their own businesses, or even pursue futures at HOPE.
HOPE's Solutions
Formal Schools
Making a Difference
HOPE currently has three formal schools throughout Pakistan which altogether provide 2,000 students a quality education for minimal to zero cost to them. The formal schools are located in Zia Colony (800 students), Muzaffargarh (600 students), and Thatta (600 students). These schools serve children from preschool through high school.
Home Schools
Doing What’s Needed
HOPE has implemented the novel approach of home schooling in rural, remote, and extremely impoverished areas. HOPE’s home school network consists of 200 informal, or home schools scattered throughout Pakistan in areas such as Karachi, Thatta, Ghagger, and Azad Kashmir.
In total, 9,000 students are enrolled currently, 80 percent of whom are girls who otherwise face many barriers to obtaining an education. Educated community females are employed as teachers in these home schools.