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he Sindh government’s recent focus on education reforms presents an opportunity to implement innovative and sustainable solutions. One such strategy is to integrate a commercial (revenue-based) model with government schools, especially those situated in commercial areas or near city hubs in each city of Sindh. This idea of economic viability and educational quality can redefine how we fund, operate and evolve public schooling.
As in many districts, the infrastructure and quality of government schools remain a challenge, unable to meet the growing expectations of many. Given the growing population, urbanisation and the pressure to deliver quality education in public institutions, there’s an urgent need for visionary strategies.
Currently, there are no funds for school development; a focus on every child is a distant dream. The first challenge is to sustain the schools and build trust in government schools.
“Umerkot, the home district of the education minister, needs new, possibly some unique strategies. The district has a rich cultural tradition but faces challenges of limited educational infrastructure and insufficient operational funds. The improvement plan can start with Pathshala School, Syed Pur, Gharibabad, and Muslim School. The public schools need to compete with private institutions. This requires a shift away from conventional approaches.
There is need for a business model that does not rely on annual grants or uncertain donations. Instead commercial viability should ascertain sustainability. This isn’t just about buildings and blackboards. It’s about dignity in education and reliable access to opportunity.
The commercial model needs a win-win approach. As a main business hub that is rapidly growing, Umerkot holds great potential. The school buildings are located in prime city areas. These can be redesigned with integrated commercial fronts featuring shops that can be rented out. Another way is to allow commercial activity on the ground floor while the upper storeys house child-friendly educational spaces. This will transform the schools into hybrid hubs for primary or secondary education.
There is a need also to re-design land utilisation strategies for Government Primary School Pathshala, Syedpur, Gharibabad Primary School, and the Muslim High School. These schools are located on valuable plots in commercial areas and can be re-designed partially or fully to provide for commercial use on the ground floor.
Local businesses and entrepreneurs can lease these commercial units for five to ten years at a time. An advance rent payment provision can result in immediate cash flow that can finance the construction, renovation and upgrade of school facilities.
A revenue re-investment model should also be considered. This way, rental income and commercial proceeds will be re-invested in school improvement. The funds can be used to provide uniforms, smart classrooms, learning materials and nutritional support for students.
For long-term operational sustainability, this approach reduces reliance on government funding and builds a self-sustaining, community-driven educational system.
For long-term operational sustainability, this approach reduces reliance on government funding and builds a self-sustaining, community-driven educational system.
The model schools can be linked to other projects supported by organisations such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
Such an approach can bring about meaningful change and set new benchmarks. Selected schools in Umerkot and surrounding regions can be designated as Model Government Schools. These institutions will be designed to compete with private schools in terms of quality and outcomes while remaining free and accessible to all students.
To fulfil this dream, Model Government Schools in Umerkot (and surrounding regions) should be equipped with a set of transformative features designed to uplift the quality of education. These schools should provide standardised, high-quality uniforms to promote a sense of dignity and identity among students. The curriculum should be bilingual (Sindhi and English) and supported by interactive learning tools to enhance comprehension.
Classrooms should be upgraded and turned into smart classrooms, equipped with tablets and projectors - enabling an engaging learning experience. To encourage innovation and hands-on learning, STEAM Labs—focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics —should be established. Solar panels should provide for the energy needs.
Each of these schools should have a mental wellness corner to support socio-emotional development. There should be dedicated time for daily reading and critical thinking. For students from Grade 6 onwards, skill training programmes should be introduced to prepare them for future careers. Strong school-community partnerships should be developed through active School Management Committees, ensuring that schools are grounded in the needs and voices of their communities.
Some of the existing schools can be recognised as models to replicate. Now is the time to think about Umerkot’s development and linking it to children’s schooling.
Pathshala, built in the pre-Partition era and located in a commercial hub near Faqir Market, Umerkot, should be one such school. To enable more effective learning by focusing on child-centred teaching, we need to give it a unique shape.
The Government Boys Primary School, Syed Pur, can also be restructured.
The third school with similar promise is located in Gharibabad, in the main Thar Bazaar, Umerkot. This school too needs to be restructured. It also requires more land where a park can be developed for the students. Such a model—with inclusive classrooms and regular health checks—can add unmistakable value. The fourth school is the Muslim School, located in the main Sabzi Market near Umerkot Fort. This school can also be redesigned to serve the community better than it currently does.
We need to come up with a strategy that once implemented will be replicated in other districts. This will reduce dependency on government budgets, address funding gaps, and inject some ambition into the education system. The education minister, the Department of Planning and Development and district governments should seriously consider this proposal as a transformative opportunity—not just for Umerkot, but also as a replicable framework for the entire Sindh.
The writer, based in Umerkot, has more than 13 years of experience in thedevelopment sector. He can be reached atshewaramlive.com