Kashf School Sarmaya
Kashf School Sarmaya is a holistic initiative designed to address Pakistan's education quality challenges, particularly in low-cost private schools (LCPS). The program was developed in response to insufficient government investment in public education, which has led to the proliferation of private schools throughout Pakistan. The initiative offers a comprehensive approach combining financial services with capacity building, targeting schools in underserved or marginalized communities in semi-urban and urban areas.
The program provides credit facilities to low-cost private schools while simultaneously offering teachers' capacity-building and school management training. Schools must meet specific criteria to qualify, including having at least 60-80 students (with a minimum of 40% female enrolment), charging monthly fees under Rs 3,000 (initially Rs 1,200), and having been operational for at least one year. The financial component allows school owners to invest in infrastructure improvements, purchase educational resources, and enhance overall school facilities. The non-financial components include specialized training for teachers on pedagogy, classroom management, and child psychology, as well as training for school owners on quality education, health, hygiene, safety issues, sustainable financial practices, and human resource management.
By 2025, the program has grown significantly from its pilot phase, having served over 2,253 low-cost private schools, trained more than 34,348 teachers and 11,779 school owners, and impacted over 788,550 students.
Pros
Significant impact on school infrastructure and learning environments, with 69-71% of participating schools reporting increased enrolment
Strong focus on gender equality, requiring 40% female student enrolment and reporting 67% increase in female enrolment in participating schools
Inclusion of financial education for students from pre-nursery to grade ten, teaching essential money management skills
Measurable improvements in school facilities, including 15% increase in schools with libraries, 18% increase in schools with first aid boxes, and 29% increase in schools with marked emergency exits
Cons
Limited to semi-urban and urban markets, potentially excluding rural schools that may have greater needs
Potential sustainability challenges if schools cannot generate sufficient revenue to repay loans while maintaining quality improvements
Partners
Kashf Foundation
Low-cost private schools in Pakistan
Premier DLC (involved in teacher training for the pilot project)
European Investment Bank (provided award funding in 2016)
Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs – Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs (provided EUR 100,000 award funding)
