A blueprint for change
A government girls' school in Hyderabad has earned a spot among the top 10 global finalists for the World's Best School Prizes 2026, demonstrating how to make education work for the most vulnerable. Government Girls Lower Secondary School Tando Mir Ghulam Hussain has been recognised by T4 Education in the Community Collaboration category for its success in innovative outreach, which has helped it convince many parents to send their previously out-of-school kids to school, and to keep existing students from dropping out. The nomination credits school officials' willingness to abandon rigid models and embrace the realities of their students' lives.
Located in an underprivileged area of Latifabad, where labour-class families often prioritise survival over schooling, the school was plagued by high dropout rates and absenteeism. It eventually decided to redesign its structure and begin offering morning and afternoon classes, along with remedial support and activity-based pedagogy. As a result, instead of rote memorisation, girls are actually building practical skills and confidence.
It is also important to acknowledge the intense involvement of school officials in the lives of their students. Teachers conduct regular home visits and counsel parents on the long-term value of girls' education. Staff mostly live in the same community, making them more familiar with the financial and domestic pressures facing others in their neighbourhoods. Being local and involved also helps counter deeply rooted beliefs in favour of early marriage and child labour.
The results are obvious. In one year, enrolment surged by 90% and attendance by 80%. Literacy and numeracy levels improved in over 75% of students, and 80% of parents now prioritise education over child labour. Girls who once struggled to attend are now participating confidently, even winning international recognition in competitions hosted by the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education and others. The success of the school should serve as a blueprint for the whole country to replicate, especially in low-enrolment areas.