Role of Punjab Education Foundation in Improving Access and Quality of Education in Punjab

Abstract

This study examines the role of the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) in transforming school education in Punjab, with particular emphasis on educational access, quality, equity, and the empowerment of disadvantaged communities. The study draws upon documentary evidence, existing literature, qualitative observations, and interviews with principals of PEF-affiliated schools, particularly from Okara and other areas of Sahiwal Division. It examines major PEF initiatives, including Foundation Assisted Schools (FAS), the Education Voucher Scheme (EVS), and the New School Program (NSP). The findings indicate that PEF-supported interventions have contributed to increased school enrolment, improved educational facilities, teacher development, community participation, and greater opportunities for children from low-income and underserved communities. The EVS has helped reduce financial barriers by enabling disadvantaged families to access private schooling, while FAS has supported institutional development and improvements in teaching practices. However, challenges related to infrastructure, teacher availability, socioeconomic inequality, implementation capacity, and the sustainability of interventions remain significant. The study concludes that PEF has emerged as an important mechanism for expanding equitable and quality-oriented school education in Punjab.