KARACHI: Zong has launched a community school initiative in Tharparkar, Sindh. Working in partnership with Alkhidmat Foundation, this programme is aimed at improving access to primary education in underserved and remote communities, while Zong focuses on establishing climate-resilient schools that provide safe, inclusive and sustainable learning environments for children, who previously had limited access to formal education.
Pakistan continues to face significant educational challenges; with an estimated 25.1 million children aged 5 to 16 currently out of school. In districts such as Tharparkar, poverty, scattered settlements, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-cultural barriers, particularly hinder access to education for girls.
To address these issues, Zong and Alkhidmat Foundation established Chownra Schools in remote villages, including Chopni Wasai Pota in Mithi and Sono Ki Dhani in Islamkot. Following community assessments conducted in 2025, the project involved constructing and renovating climate-resilient school buildings while also providing furniture, learning materials, sanitation facilities, and secure boundary walls to ensure child-friendly learning spaces.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the initiative currently supports approximately 80 students, with attendance rates reaching nearly 85%. By bringing schools closer to local communities, the project aims to reduce barriers to education, promote inclusion, especially for girls, and contribute to long-term socio-economic development in the region.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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