The Role of Educational NGOs in Pakistan

Challenges for NGOs in Education in Pakistan

Poverty in Pakistan and Educational NGOs Role

The role of educational NGOs can’t be ignoring in Pakistan. These organizations have different tasks to improve culture especially early and primary level children. We have failed to control overpopulation ratio which causes to create different problems for nation. Currently, Pakistan has above 170 millions of population from which above 20 million children are out of school. The uneven distribution of natural resources is a big reason to increase poverty and inflation rate all over the country. Public schools have shortage of motivated teachers, furniture and good environment/culture to set standards. NGOs are ready to offer services such as building capacity, mobilizing, convincing to poor families, idea innovation, analysis and researches. They will also play role in different fields along with networking and partnership creation.

Success of Educational NGO

I have experience to work with an NGO in Lahore. In 2006, a primary school in Badami Bagh area started functioning with only 10 students @ Rs. 10 per month fees. They started vocational learning and training programs as well. After 4 years the community had access to send their children to school in that area. NGOs should not and can’t play the role of government due to dependency on donors but ensure that government is willing to fulfill its responsibilities. In 1947 many voluntary organizations came forward to participate accordingly.

Functions of NGOs in Pakistan Education

NGOs perform the following major functions in this field:

v  Land for school

Educational NGOs in Pakistan

v  Construction process

v  Hiring quality teachers

v  Capital/Budget in hand

v  Opening training centers

v  Arrangement of furniture, books and note books

v  Parents encouraging to send their children in the school instead of labor work

v  Improving the student skills at all levels

v  Time to time meetings with donors and parents

It needs to have good strategy to get desired results. For example, unemployed teachers at low salaries should be target and they should be trained if needed. Today, we need to expand vision statement of learning process to fulfill “Education for All” and have to accept the solid role of NGOs/Private sector.

Further, these organizations have to face following challenges in this field.

v  Cost Effectiveness

Since private and public schools are not ready to admit poor children due to high expenses/dues. But NGOs are successful to convince poor families at low cost.

v  Learning Abilities

Today, NGOs have training programs for teachers and students especially in rural areas they are focusing on communication and development skills.

v  Introducing English Language at Early Stage

Since NGOs are running with children from gross root level families, it is a big challenge to introduce such children with English language.

Foreign Donor’s Contribution in Pakistan Education

Here we want to highlight the role of foreign agencies.

Foreign NGO in Education in Pakistan

Since 1960, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) helps the Pakistan community and providing social support especially in basic learning for poor girls. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has opened different channels with the help of Pakistan Government and private sector. They are ready to focus women issues, teachers training, primary level learning, social culture and health in rural areas. Similarly USAID is playing an important role for Pakistani nation.