Staff Reporter
The Teach For Pakistan celebrated the completion of its 2019-2021 Fellowship cohort’s two-year teaching placement, and graduation into the organization’s Alumni movement of lifelong education leaders and champions.
Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood graced the occasion as chief guest and Ms. Wendy Kopp, CEO and co-founder of Teach For All delivered the Keynote address at the virtual “Alumni Induction Ceremony.”
Teach For Pakistan’s Fellowship is a two-year, education leadership program which provides outstanding university graduates and young professionals the opportunity and support to teach full-time in low-income communities, and put their students and schools on the path to success.
Teach For Pakistan is a partner in the Teach For All global network of 60+ independent, national organizations working to end educational inequity in their countries.
The 28 inspired graduates from prestigious universities who, in 2019, began teaching across 15 public schools in underserved sectors of Tarnol, Nilore, BharaKahu and Sihala, completed the Fellowship today.
They join the 117 older Alumni who are working from all fields towards education reform and development in Pakistan.
Speaking about the Teach For Pakistan Fellowship, Mr. Shafqat Mehmood remarked, “It has, of course, a great impact on children because [Fellows] are here because they are committed to educating the young people…but also has an amazing demonstration effect on other teachers around them.
We hope to further cement our partnership with Teach For Pakistan and we are about to launch a new project with the organization.”
On behalf of Teach For Pakistan’s Board of Directors, Nassir Kasuri, Executive Director, North, Beaconhouse, said, “When schools across Pakistan closed during COVID-19, these young education leaders overcame the digital divide to keep their children safe and learning.”
Director of Programs, and herself a Teach For Pakistan Alumna, Tooba Akhtar remarked, “While education paused in low-income communities, 90% of Fellows’ 1,600+ students were engaged via learning packs, WhatsApp, phone calls, SMS, and in-person small group sessions in open fields and community spaces.
They also supported the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in creating curriculum for TeleSchool content.”
