‘Teach for Pakistan’ joins ‘Teach for All’ global network

Islamabad: ‘Teach for Pakistan’ announced that it has joined the ‘Teach for All’ global network, becoming its 47th partner, says a press release.

As an independent non-profit organisation, Teach for Pakistan’s mission is to recruit, train, and support outstanding Pakistani university graduates and young professionals to commit to teach for a minimum of two years in under-served schools and communities, and become leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity for children throughout the country.

‘Teach for All’ is a global network of 47 independent, locally led and governed partner organisations and a global organization that works to accelerate the progress of the network. Teach for All’s core purpose is to ensure all children have the opportunity to fulfil their potential-both to shape better futures for themselves and the world they will inherit.

Teach for Pakistan is a game changer in making progress towards addressing the unique educational challenges in the country where, according to the Alif Ailaan Education Report 2015, one in two children in grade five are unable to read at or compute at grade level.

Khadija Baktiar, CEO and Co-Founder, expressed her confidence stating, “Teach For Pakistan is excited to be joining Teach For All as a partner. I believe this partnership will enable us to realise our vision for a Pakistan where our country’s most promising young leaders are arriving to ensure that no child is held back by their socio-economic background.”

The programme commences with the 2018-20 cohort of fellows who will begin teaching in public schools in the federal capital Islamabad, this fall. With the support of government, business and community stakeholders, Teach for Pakistan aims to grow its movement nationwide.

Teach For Pakistan is governed by a diverse board including Dr. Maria Rashid, a gender and community practice expert, Nassir Kasuri, Executive Director of the Northern Region Beaconhouse School System, Senator Osman Saifullah Khan, Vice Chairman of the Saif Group of Companies, and Taimur Khan Jhagra, former partner at Mckinsey, Pakistan.

The programme was concept tested as a pilot under the umbrella of Aman Foundation from 2011-2015 in Karachi and Lahore. The pilot graduated a total of 102 Fellows — now alumni — 75% of whom taught in Karachi. This emerging leadership force is supporting reform in teaching, school leadership, and policy, and shaping the trajectory of institutions like The Citizens Foundation and the Sindh and Punjab provincial governments.

In a statement, Teach for Pakistan’s Alumni Representative Committee (ARC), formed in 2015, expressed their commitment to the program, saying, “The experiences of the fellowship fostered a unique understanding of the systemic barriers that prevent our children from thriving. These experiences motivate us, the alumni, to meaningfully contribute to different spheres of reform and development. The ARC is committed to Teach for Pakistan’s core mission of cultivating a new generation of engaged education leaders.”