Report: FT Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD– Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that the establishment of Daanish Schools is part of the government’s vision to provide underprivileged and deserving children with equal opportunities to receive quality education. He said financial constraints remain a major obstacle preventing millions of talented children from realizing their potential, adding that 27 Daanish Schools are currently under construction in different parts of the country.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Daanish School Islamabad on Sunday, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has countless talented boys and girls who, given equal educational opportunities, can transform their lives and play a significant role in the country’s development.
He said the decision to establish Daanish Schools was taken in 2010 to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds could receive education comparable to, or even better than, that offered by prestigious institutions such as Aitchison College and other leading grammar schools.
The Prime Minister highlighted the achievements of Daanish School graduates, noting that thousands of students have completed their education and are now serving in various fields, including medicine, engineering, policing, public administration, teaching and business.
He said the Daanish Schools initiative and the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund reflect the vision of providing equal opportunities to children across the country, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Referring to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Prime Minister said every child in Pakistan, whether from a wealthy or an underprivileged family, should have equal access to education and healthcare. He emphasized that a just and prosperous society could not be established without ensuring equal opportunities for all children.
He described Daanish Schools as a symbol of national unity, noting that students from Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are studying together in these institutions. He said the initiative promotes national integration, equality and a sense of shared identity among children from different regions.
The Prime Minister directed the relevant authorities to focus on establishing information technology and artificial intelligence laboratories in Daanish Schools and expanding students’ access to modern education and technology. He said young people should be equipped with advanced skills to demonstrate their capabilities in Pakistan and internationally.
He appreciated the efforts of the federal ministers, officials and administrative teams involved in implementing the Daanish Schools programme.
Earlier, the Prime Minister visited classrooms, science laboratories, IT and robotics labs, and the art room at Daanish School Islamabad. He expressed satisfaction with the educational facilities and interacted warmly with students, appreciating their determination to pursue education despite challenging circumstances.
During the briefing, the Prime Minister was informed that Daanish School Islamabad has been established on 30 acres of land. Separate academic blocks have been constructed for boys and girls, with 24 classrooms in each block, alongside IT, science and robotics laboratories. The school also has an e-library and an art room.
Classes have commenced for grades six, seven and eight, with 120 students enrolled in each grade. A total of 360 talented students from different parts of the country have been admitted strictly on merit, with 100 per cent merit-based admissions. The school has recruited 38 teachers, with additional teaching staff to be appointed according to requirements.
Federal Minister for Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan were also present at the ceremony.
