The Citizens Foundation

TCF Schools
Type Private
Established 1995
Location Pakistan
33°43′15.99″N 73°2′0.38″E / 33.7211083°N 73.0334389°E / 33.7211083; 73.0334389Coordinates: 33°43′15.99″N 73°2′0.38″E / 33.7211083°N 73.0334389°E / 33.7211083; 73.0334389
Nickname TCF
Mascot TCFians
Affiliations BISE Boards
Website www.tcf.org.pk

The Citizens Foundation (TCF) is one of the largest non-profit organizations in Pakistan in the field of education. It was established in 1995, by a group of citizens in Karachi. It aims to provide quality education to the underprivileged youth in Pakistan. As of April 2016, TCF has expanded its network to 1202 operational school units, which provide education to 175,000 students nationwide.

Introduction

TCF is a professionally managed charitable organization that builds and runs schools primary and secondary education to boys and girls in rural areas and urban slums of Pakistan. The founders initially made five schools, and after managing them successfully they planned further expansion. Today, TCF has managed to spread their network of education all over the country. As of April 2016 TCF has expanded its network to 1202 operational school units, which provide education to 175,000 students. TCF aims to bring about an enduring positive change for the communities most in need through: quality education, enabling moral, spiritual and intellectual enlightenment and creating opportunities to improve quality of life.

In TCF schools a balanced gender ratio is maintained; close to 50% of students are female, while in many families female education is not encouraged. In order to achieve this goal female staff and teachers were hired to make parents comfortable with the idea of sending their girls to TCF schools. Each school hires support staff from within the community who convince the parents to send their children to school, especially girls.

[1]

Origin

Out of the population of 164,741,924 only 82,206,220 people are educated in Pakistan and 24%[2] of the population are below the poverty line.

Like other developing countries of the world Pakistan also faces the issues of population explosion, poverty, unemployment, income disparity and low literacy rate. In 1995, six successful top-level managers of Pakistan attempted to find a way to solve these problems, and the root cause identified by them was education. Within a few months The Citizens Foundation (TCF) was formed in Karachi.[3]

Education programme

The Citizens Foundation provides primary and secondary level education, through which they are trying to bring about a qualitative and quantitative change in the education sector of Pakistan. The students at TCF schools are charged a nominal fee, out of which up to 95% scholarship is awarded along with uniforms and books on a pay-as-you-can-afford basis. This is judged on the basis of the overall household income of each family, its circumstances and education related expenses. Applicants for financial assistance provide necessary details about their family income and resources by completing a scholarship form. TCF school staff, through visits to the applicants' homes, verify this information. School principals then send completed scholarship forms, along with their recommendations to the Regional Office where the final decision is taken. Scholarships are given for one academic year and the recipients are eligible to reapply. Students who are eligible get uniforms and textbooks free of cost.

Teacher Training Center

In order to provide quality education to the students a Teacher Training Center was made in 1997, in Karachi. Every new teacher hired goes through four-weeks of extensive pre-service training before being permitted to teach at a TCF school. The training center closely evaluate the teachers during the year and provide training sessions from time to time as per requirement of the curriculum. At present there are 7,700 TCF-trained teachers [4] teaching.

Allocation of donations

Being a charitable organization the sole source of income is donations. They receive nearly 80%[5] of the funds from Pakistanis at home, which include corporate sponsorship and individuals. The rest of the donations are received from expatriate communities. More than 90%[6] of the funds are utilized in the building and running of schools, providing equipment for libraries and science laboratories, children’s uniforms, books and snacks. The remaining are allocated for administration costs.

TCF’s accounts are audited and available to the public. It was assigned a non-profit organization (NPO) governance rating of GR-8 by JCR-VIS Credit Rating Co Ltd, denoting a high level of governance in TCF.

Earthquake relief operations

On October 8, 2005 Pakistan witnessed one of the worst natural disasters in its history, the earthquake in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and areas of NWFP. TCF provided earthquake victims with food, blankets and tents. Medical camps were set with adequate operation theatres. Rehabilitation process was started in which first 6,300 shelters were built to help over 60,000 victims[7] survive the harsh winters. Then a layout was made to make permanent houses and Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) approved the design of the house.

TCF also developed a water supply scheme in most villages to provide easy access to water for the people. Previously many people had to walk to the neighboring village to get water in buckets or pots.

In the earthquake-affected areas the whole infrastructure was destroyed, many schools collapsed killing thousands of teachers and children. 21 schools will be built by TCF to help affected children.

International presence

TCF has a network of supporters working for it worldwide. TCF, U.S. is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization (recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service). Friends of TCF, TCF’s UK Chapter, TCF UAE and TCF Canada are all registered in their respective countries and collect funds there to benefit TCF’s education programme.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.brianmicklethwait.com/education/2004/04/the_citizens_fo.php
  2. ↑ CIA - The World Factbook - Pakistan
  3. ↑ NBC: Pakistan's primary school revolution - World news - MSNBC.com
  4. ↑ http://www.thecitizensfoundation.com/why_choose_tcf/achieved.php?id=3&query_dir=why_choose_tcf&query_focus=achieved
  5. ↑ Charity begins at home -DAWN - The Review; December 1, 2005
  6. ↑ http://www.thecitizensfoundation.org/docs/Annual%20Report%202006/Programme%20High%20Page%2011-12.pdf
  7. ↑ http://www.thecitizensfoundation.org/docs/Annual%20Report%202006/Rehabilitation%20Page%2038-39.pdf
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