ISLAMABAD: Zong has partnered with Alkhidmat Foundation to expand access to primary education in underserved areas of Tharparkar, Sindh, by establishing climate-resilient community schools in remote villages.
The initiative aims to provide safe, inclusive and sustainable learning spaces for children in areas where poverty, scattered settlements, limited infrastructure and social barriers continue to restrict access to formal education, especially for girls.
According to the company, the project has established Chownra Schools in Chopni Wasai Pota in Mithi and Sono Ki Dhani in Islamkot, where access to formal schooling was previously limited.
Pakistan continues to face a major education challenge, with an estimated 25.1 million children aged 5 to 16 out of school, representing nearly 35 percent of the country’s school-age population.
Schools built for remote communities
Zong said the initiative was based on community assessments conducted in 2025 and focused on improving local education infrastructure through the construction and renovation of climate-resilient school facilities.
The project also provided furniture, learning materials, sanitation facilities and secure boundary walls to create safer and more child-friendly learning environments.
The schools are now providing primary education to around 80 students from underserved communities, with attendance rates reaching nearly 85 percent, according to the company.
Focus on girls’ education and inclusion
By bringing education closer to homes in remote villages, the initiative seeks to reduce barriers that often prevent children, particularly girls, from attending school.
Zong said the programme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4 on quality education and SDG 10 on reduced inequalities.
Nabila Yazdani, Head of Strategy, Communications and Sustainability at Zong, said access to education was a catalyst for inclusive growth and sustainable community development.
“Through our partnership with Alkhidmat Foundation, we are enabling access to safe, resilient and quality learning environments in the underserved areas of Tharparkar,” she said.
Dr Syed Tabassum Jaffri, President of Alkhidmat Foundation Sindh, said the partnership had developed into a meaningful collaboration focused on healthcare, education and welfare initiatives across Sindh.
He said the establishment of the schools was an important step toward strengthening access to quality education in remote areas and empowering communities through long-term development.
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