Message from the Chief Executive

All children are born the same but are shaped according to the opportunities they get from birth onwards……. In Pakistan the majority of the children are born in under privileged homes and hence, their destiny is sealed at birth. Furthermore, the education system of the country perpetuates the class divide. The age old teaching methodologies make it difficult for the children to capitalize on these growth opportunities. The children attending public schools are unable to visualize the benefits of education. Their minds are preoccupied with thinking of ways to avoid corporal punishment and their disinterest in the old curriculum quite apparent in their wandering eyes. Blind to the hope and horizons of linking globally, these children drop out of the bland classrooms and runaway from the school.

Our education system, which brings the entire fabric of the country, and society together is a ticking time bomb contributing hugely to the present scenario which has popularized Pakistan as an extremist and failed state. The divide between the have and have nots has reached an unprecedented magnitude which is affecting both the world and the region.

The war against evil can and will only be won by taking Pakistan into the fold of the global education systems, and not by weapons or force. The people are tired of poverty, hunger, lack of security, social injustice and most of all an age-old education system that is not relevant to the job of the economic markets. The majority of the households are not accounted for in the depiction of Pakistan and they await to be a part of change. They want better lives.

Children’s Global Network, Pakistan has bridged this gap with the support of USAID and Government of Pakistan, bringing the best teaching skills and materials for interactive learning into the classroom. We put children first when it comes to the debate of education instead of just focusing on the policies. Studies done by the Lahore Management of Sciences (LUMS) show that the children enrolled in our partner schools perform at par to those who attend private elitist schools. The eyes of these children are bright and sparkling at the prospect of learning through play. CGN-P’s methodology has given root to a love for knowledge and a thirst for education.

I would request that the people of Pakistan, and our International stakeholders step up and infuse their energies and resources into the children because the classroom is the place where the change takes place. Bricks and mortar have not yielded anything in 60 years. All of the good policies sit on the shelves. By giving equity, hope, and a global link we are touching upon a child’s life and opening the world to them. The destiny of Pakistan is in the hands of these marginalized children and we owe the best educational opportunities to them.

Children’s Global Network looks forward to joining hands with all the positive forces to carve a future that we are in control of.      

Sincerely
Mehnaz Aziz