Better School Management in Practice

CARE Foundation is a civil society organization that has been providing quality education to children for the last 20 years. CARE runs 14 of its own schools and also manages 170 schools on behalf of the government.
Starting from 250 children, CARE Foundation is now providing education to over 125,000 underprivileged children and is successfully managing 184 schools.

In addition to the purpose built schools CARE has established in various cities of Pakistan it has also pioneered the concept of Public Private partnership in the educational sector and is the only organization to do so successfully. Keeping in view the state of affairs in government schools, CARE began its government school adoption program in 1998. Ever since CAREs intervention enrollments have greatly increased and at some schools have exceeded 400%. The quality of education imparted in these schools is being improved, upgraded and continuously monitored. We believe this is the quickest way to reach the most number of children.

Below is a brief snapshot of the CARE model and achievements in CARE-adopted government schools.

• This model is currently running successfully in 170 government schools and is impacting the lives of 125,000 children.
• CARE now has over 34,000 graduates who have gone on to become teachers, doctors, accountants, engineers and managers, while others have gone onto higher studies.
• CARE established English-language centres in the schools. The results of these centres are truly phenomenal. They train students how to speak, read and write good English fluently. CARE is currently operating 15 Access centers, with over 1000 students. Many of the students have obtained jobs in banks, call centers etc. on very high salaries.

• CARE provides scholarships to its students after they complete matriculation. Currently over 700 of CARE graduates are pursuing a higher education in the best colleges of Lahore thanks to this scholarship scheme.
• All CARE funds are raised privately from individuals and organizations within Pakistan with the strong belief that it is our duty as Pakistanis to provide for and ensure the prosperity of our nation. We receive no foreign and government funds.
• The model is large enough to be scalable and may easily be replicated.

• The model is relatively low on inputs instead, it stresses better management of all resource human, physical, financial and time resource. By putting in place better educational management systems, the CARE model brings about improvements in every aspect of the working of a school. This leads to an actual visible change on the ground, as validated by independent third-party studies.
• The model does not establish a parallel system, rather it strengthens the existing educational setup by working hand in hand with government functionaries
• Every aspect of the CARE model has been tried and tested in the field.
• CARE has placed 2,000 of its own trained teachers in government schools to overcome the teacher shortage
• CAREs training program incorporates a follow-up mechanism in the classroom to ensure that concepts learned are put into practice
• English-medium classes were introduced in these schools ten years back in a progressive manner. Now 20 schools are in English medium from Nursery to Class 9 or 10, and many others are progressing there.
• Introduction of Science subjects. We not only provided science labs, but hired and trained teachers and implemented a system of utilization and monitoring.
• Implementation of a library program. CARE hired and trained librarians, provided libraries and implemented a follow-up mechanism for library usage.
• Introduction of computer studies. CARE provided computers in 125 schools. It also hired computer teachers, designed and implemented a syllabus and provided a support network for regular repair and maintenance.
• Increased enrolment in many cases by 400%. We are running 100 of our schools in double shift to accommodate the increased enrolment.
• Academic results have been improved significantly. CARE students regularly obtain positions and academic distinctions in the Board and University.
• School Committees have been established to oversee expenditure of school funds and infrastructure improvements
• CARE itself also provided badly-needed infrastructure like classrooms, toilets, drinking water, furniture etc.
• Centralized examination implemented in all schools for external assessment
• An effective system of school monitoring has been implemented. CARE has its own internal audit system to constantly help improve standards in these schools
Free summer camp is run in 100 schools, for foundation-building and to provide much-needed extra-curricular opportunities to pupils. Interns from the best schools and colleges of Lahore also volunteer in these schools in summer camp.