In Yokohama, Japan — Access to quality education remains a challenge worldwide, with approximately 250 million children out of school. The majority of these children are in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, with countries like India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Ethiopia leading in numbers. Pakistan alone has around 26 million children out of school.
Pakistan not only faces a large number of out-of-school children but also a 77% learning poverty rate, which continues to fuel the cycle of poverty. The situation is worse in disadvantaged regions due to insufficient educational funding, government corruption, and overpopulation.
The Citizens Foundation Pakistan (TCF), a nonprofit organization, is working to provide quality education to underprivileged children. The organization operates around 2,000 schools across Pakistan, reaching approximately 300,000 students. It prioritizes building schools in underprivileged communities and employs an all-female staff to build trust with local families. TCF charges a minimal monthly fee to maintain students' dignity, while aiming to increase the number of graduates in the coming years. Many graduates have gone on to secure respectable positions, breaking the cycle of poverty.
TCF’s efforts are creating significant change by making education accessible to those who need it most and helping to shape a brighter future for Pakistan’s youth.
