Karachi, In a recent development, the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) and Green Crescent Trust (GCT) have proposed assistance to the newly formed federal and provincial governments to develop and implement a system that ensures accountability and transparency in the expenditure of education budgets. The offer aims to improve the educational outcomes for millions of underprivileged students in government schools.
According to Green Crescent Trust, SAF Chairman Shahid Afridi and GCT CEO Zahid Saeed made the offer during a joint fundraiser event for SAF and GCT. They emphasized the potential impact of their proposed system on the educational sector, especially for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
SAF and GCT have highlighted the discrepancies in spending and results between government and their charitable schools. GCT CEO Zahid Saeed pointed out that the government schools spend significantly more per student compared to the cost-effective model of education provided by the charitable schools run by SAF and GCT. Despite lower expenses, students from these charitable schools show a high success rate in matriculation exams.
The charities are confident in their low-cost education model and are ready to replicate it to help transform the government schooling system. With the support of philanthropists and donors, SAF and GCT have already made substantial strides in education in Sindh, with plans to expand further by 2025.
The offer from SAF and GCT aligns with the broader goals of increasing literacy and improving education standards across the country, particularly focusing on the education of girls and children in remote areas. The partnership approach suggested by Sindh Education Foundation Managing-Director Abdul Kabir Kazi, involving government, NGOs, and private entities, is seen as a critical strategy to enhance educational facilities and outreach in underserved regions.