sorry state of private school in Pakistan

Horrible State of Private School in Pakistan; A Complete Insight

Educational Entrepreneurship or let’s say, running a private school is the most appealing business in Pakistan. How easy it is to open and operate a substandard street private school, the world is eager to learn from us.

Thanks to our substandard educational system and poor policy implementation that after complete destruction of the public education system, our Educational Entrepreneurship now is in the devil’s hands.

However, in Pakistan, due to corruption and poor implementation of policies, the process of opening a private school is the other way around.  Following is how the opportunists manage the improper private schools in our society;

  1. Be whatever, even a total illiterate.
  2. Look for a “place”, if you don’t have, your home is the best place.
  3. Open a private “school” by fixing a hoarding or flex on its front wall.
  4. The determination of grade levels is not needed. Write Nursery to BA/B.COM, MA/M.Sc.
  5. Mission Statement is not necessary, Don’t waste time.
  6. Private school Committee? What is it?
  7. Business Plan, Yes we have a plan ! More students – More Fee – More Profit.
  8. The budget depends on the business plan.
  9. Promote the school through wall chalking/cable advertisements/ “personal selling”.
  10. Interview “faculty” and hire those who demand the least (i-e) between Rs. 1000 – 3000
  11. Hire teachers according to the number of admissions you get.
  12. Enjoy profit. Keep doing step 9 again and again.

Registration? Forget it; no one will ask you about it including the authorities and parents. And if, at some point, they will, don’t worry. Follow the steps here;

  1. Buy 3 Majeed Books Depot’s Registration Books.
  2. Fill them, Don’t know how? See below.
  3. Visit your EDO office, meet the registration clerk. Share your “problem”.
  4. I hope you have cash-in-hand if so, you will get a sample filled file.
  5. Copy – Paste
  6. Submit it along with “cash-in-hand.”
  7. Thinking about the requirements of PlayGround, Library, Science Lab, Clean Water….. Stop worrying.
  8. Better “meet” the inspection committee in their homes than to have them in your home, err “School”.

The school is registered. Congratulations !!!!

A private school can be opened either way. But the success rate of both will be altogether different. Remember, there is no shortcut to success.

If you want to open a private school, do it in the right way with the right facilities, mission, and faculty. Work hard, produce results and bring a positive change in the lives of those who come to you as students. God is there to give you a better reward here and hereafter.

How to open a REAL private school

private school in Pakistan
Image source: Rescueorg

Entrepreneurship, as you might have studied in business books, is the capacity and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit. Globally, entering into Educational Entrepreneurship is the most arduous task.

In the USA, for example, starting a private school is a challenging process and generally takes no less than two years. Private schools often have high academic standards, low teacher-student ratios, availability of non-core subjects such as art and music, and an emphasis on discipline, safety, community service, and values.

To open a private school of a good standard, the following are the key points to remember;

Personality

As a principal, you need to be a person of high character. Additionally, you must be a qualified and experienced individual in the educational sector.

If experience is not there, hire an experienced vice principal who is capable enough to guide you in the process of launching the initial management of the proposed school.

But remember, over-dependence on your employees will make you a weaker principal in the meantime. So the key is; learn as fast as you can.

Grade Levels

Never claim what you cannot do. Grades are service offerings. How would you feel if you stop by a store because of a good advertisement and then find that the advertised material is not available, or is inferior to the advertised product? The same is the case with the school.

If you are new to the profession, it is always safer to start with Montessori and Nursery. You can, of course, offer more grades as your initial intake is promoted to the next levels.

Mission and Vision

Define your mission statement. What kind of student are you going to produce? A good Muslim, A good human being, A better citizen, A confident student… or something else.

It will help you to design the instruction system later. Assemble a school committee comprising of genius and accomplished individuals to design the instructional methodology in line with the mission and vision.

Building

The first impression is the last impression. So is your building. Very few will bother to see your mission, vision, and instructional methodology. But everyone will rate you on the building.

So it must be airy, open and room size shall be compatible with the number of students you are planning to have in a single room.

Unlike houses, school rooms are bigger enough to absorb and repel suffocation and carbon emission. Playground ( Or open area) Computer or Science Lab and Library are your faces.

It is better to have a principal office right next to the entrance door. There is no need to let a visitor wander the whole school before reaching you.

Hire Faculty

Hire the best faculty you can afford. Students report higher levels of engagement and learning at institutions where faculty members use active and collaborative learning techniques, engage students in experiences, emphasize higher-order cognitive activities in the classroom, interact with students, challenge students academically, and value enriching educational experiences.

Your faculty will help you grow. Don’t compromise !!

Registration

In Pakistan, for private school registration, the competent authority is EDO (Executive District Officer) Education. Find the office in your district. Buy registration books from a nearby bookstore. Fill it, attach your building map, staff statement and appointment letters, building fitness certificate (you can have it from the authorized engineering firm by the EDO office), health and sanitation certificate (from the health department), and fee voucher (paid in National Bank of Pakistan).

Currently, the fee is Rs. 8000 for high and 12000 for higher secondary school. Even if you are going to start with Montessori, get it registered as a high school. Registration is a hectic process, and you would not like to do it again and again. At first, the registration is granted for 2 years which can then be extended to 5 or 10 years.

25 thoughts on “Horrible State of Private School in Pakistan; A Complete Insight”

  1. Muhammad Imran Shafiq

    Very well written Sir, Indeed this sector is been treated as the fast money making business but unfortunate that one should consider the value of this business as well, along with earning prospect the major is Delivery. Which is valuable academics and character building as well.

  2. This article potray the real picture of private schools. We may call these private schools and educators as quake of educational system. Situation is not very much different with private hospitals as well.

    Private sector contribution plays a very vital role in uplifting educational and health services. This is responsibility of Govt. and civil beaurcrates to regularize and monitor this private

    This article may help authorities to make SOPs and regularize private school.

    We are waiting for a similar article explaing ground picture of public school.

    1. Waqas A. Khan

      Dr. Nadeem Shafique Butt sb. Thanks a lot. The term you used for substandard private schools is worth noting. Yes indeed it is the government that has to look upon the helm of affairs. Thanks for reading and comment.

  3. Rachelle Aragones

    A very nice article of you sir. It can help a lot to your fellowmen who wants to open their own school. That is a highly recommended tips. Good job! God bless you more. 🙂

  4. Tanveer Maken

    Dear Waqas.. this is the real and big issue off our socity u talked about.. u realy dare to talk about the issue that nver been cnsidered by the authority as a root cause of all social issues..
    you also gave a soultion its realy nice and worth reading article.. May Allah bless u…

  5. Madiha Mukhtar

    It’s truly the thing I was searching for. As I have plan to open an educational Institute in near. Your experience, views and literature in this article will be a step by step guidelines for my project. Highly Appreciated. Allah bless you. Ameen

    1. Waqas A Khan

      Thanks. If a single person can take help from this, the mission is accomplished. God bless you too always. Ameen.

  6. Kamran Ashraf

    it is nice Article. Now the time of change, Should be work on education system for better Pakistan, We facing problems due to non of education system. Its dark truth that we have not educational institution for learning. It all are degree factories. Waqas Khan Sb it is nice one. It is also informational article. well keep it

  7. Mushtaq A Butt

    A fact sheet and an eye opener for the Government officials . A get through guide for persons who wish to enter this field . I do not think you left any thing hidden but covered everything in fewer words with hawks eye . Downward trend and deterioration in education sector is not only in Pakistan but also in the most developed nations . . They may take longer to touch the lowest ebb. Private sector is more of a minting machine now . A commendable effort !

  8. MALIK SALMAN

    Well Written Article. Great Analysis and Suggestions. Respected waqas sab a bundle of Thanks for writing a superb article

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