Pakistan faces some of the world's most pressing educational challenges. With nearly 23 million children aged 5 to 16 out of school - 44 per cent of the total population in this age group - the need for a transformation in education is clear. Barriers to education in Pakistan, particularly for girls, are significant, ranging from poverty and cultural norms to a lack of infrastructure and qualified teachers.

This has created an urgent need for innovative solutions to provide quality education in both the public and private sectors.

In 2023, EduQuality, a program of Opportunity EduFinance, was launched in Pakistan. Focused on affordable non-state schools, EduQuality provides school leaders and teachers with professional development tools and resources to enhance the quality of education. The program combines digital content with in-person training, supporting schools in strengthening leadership, teaching, and learning practices over three years. 

In its first year, EduQuality partnered with 150 schools across Punjab in eastern Pakistan. Early results are promising, with school leaders embracing structured support and training to improve school management, financial planning, and classroom instruction.

One of the schools in the EduQuality program is the Muslim School of Science, located in a small village in Punjab. Founded in 2015 with just 35 students and two staff members, the school was established to meet a critical community need. The nearest government school was far away and it was unsafe for children to travel long distances.

By providing a safe and accessible learning environment, the new non-state school addressed this gap. Initially opening with just two rooms, it has since expanded to 15 classrooms with basic amenities, offering pre-primary, middle, and secondary education.

Since partnering with Opportunity EduFinance in 2023, the Muslim School of Science has benefited from school improvement loans, receiving PKR 500,000 (A$2,883).

These funds have been used to expand classroom space, build a boundary wall for security, and improve overall infrastructure. The school has since grown to 15 teaching staff and 473 students, with a significant rise in the number of girls attending (203 girls and 270 boys).

School leader Ghulam credits Opportunity EduFinance for introducing effective financial management and school improvement strategies.

Pathways to Excellence is a self­ assessment tool that helps school leaders identify strengths and areas for improvement across 18 domains of school quality, grouped into school culture, school management, and teaching and learning.

"The Pathway to Excellence materials provided us with a thorough framework for school self-assessment, and the School Leader Exercise Booklet has greatly enhanced our approach to school culture and management," said Ghulam.

Leaders use the results to create focused development plans, targeting two to five areas for growth each year. This process empowers them to drive continuous improvement, ensuring long-term quality enhancement beyond the EduQuality program.