A new school has been established in the Kuri area of Islamabad under the name of Daanish School Kuri. At first glance, it may appear to be just another building, but in reality, it represents an idea: quality education should not be the privilege of children from wealthy families alone. If a child from a poor family is talented, that child deserves the same opportunities as one from an affluent background. This was the vision that gave birth to the Daanish Schools initiative, and today, that journey has reached Islamabad.

One of Pakistan’s major challenges has been the rising cost of quality education. Good schools, well-equipped laboratories, residential facilities and qualified teachers have become increasingly expensive. An ordinary labourer, a small farmer or the guardian of an orphaned child often cannot afford such facilities. As a result, many talented children are left behind. To address this inequality, an initiative was launched in 2010, when Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was Chief Minister of Punjab. He decided to establish boarding schools in the nine most underdeveloped districts of Punjab. These institutions were designed to match the standards of expensive private schools while providing education to deserving and talented children.

The opening of Daanish School Kuri sends a powerful message that, with the right vision, commitment and management, public-sector institutions can deliver education that meets the standards of even the most expensive private schools.

The opening of Daanish School Kuri sends a powerful message that, with the right vision, commitment and management, public-sector institutions can deliver education that meets the standards of even the most expensive private schools.

Initially, many people doubted whether such a model could succeed. They questioned how a government-run school could offer facilities and educational standards comparable to those of elite private institutions. However, time has demonstrated that it is possible when there is a clear vision and sincere commitment. In just fifteen years, 20 Daanish Schools and 14 Centres of Excellence have been established across the nine districts of Punjab. Today, more than 20,000 boys and girls are studying in these institutions. This figure represents far more than the number of enrolled students; it reflects the transformation of thousands of families. When a child receives a quality education, the benefits can extend to the entire family and change its future.

What distinguishes Daanish........

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