More funds sought for PEF schools
The Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) has been hailed as a low-cost model for providing quality education to underprivileged children.
The foundation runs over 7,000 schools across the province, providing free education to more than 2.3 million students.
School Education Secretary Maqbool Ahmed Dhawla lauded the foundation’s work during his visit to the PEF head office. He emphasised the need to increase funding for PEF to increase the amount of per-student fee received by partner schools.
During the meeting, Dhawla directed PEF Managing Director Manzar Javed Ali to prepare a summary for increasing funds to adequately increase the existing stipend rate. Ali provided a detailed briefing on PEF’s educational projects, including the Foundation Assisted School Programme, Education Voucher Scheme, and New School Programme.
He also highlighted other important issues, such as the PEF monitoring system, quality assurance test, student information system, teacher training program, and the new PEF building.
Ali expressed confidence that with increased funding, PEF could bring an additional 500,000 children into the existing infrastructure in its schools.
Dhawla appreciated the efforts of PEF administration and PEF partners, saying that the foundation’s provision of free and quality education in the province at low cost was commendable.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2023.