Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the launch of the Daanish School programme, a new initiative aimed at providing quality education to children from low‑income families.
At an International Youth Day gathering in Islamabad on August 12, the PM highlighted the programme as a cornerstone of the administration’s education agenda, stressing that “Pakistan cannot progress as a welfare state without investing in the learning of its youngest citizens.”
The Daanish School initiative will establish a network of modern learning centres across the country, each equipped with state‑of‑the‑art classrooms, digital labs, and libraries stocked with up‑to‑date textbooks. Teachers will receive specialised training in contemporary pedagogies, ensuring that students receive instruction that meets international standards. The project also plans to provide free meals, transportation, and learning materials to students who would otherwise be unable to afford them.
By targeting children from economically disadvantaged households, the programme seeks to close the persistent education gap that has long plagued Pakistan’s rural and urban poor. The government argues that equal access to quality schooling is essential for building a skilled workforce, reducing poverty, and fostering social cohesion. In the long term, the Daanish Schools are expected to lower dropout rates, raise literacy levels, and create a more inclusive society where talent is nurtured regardless of background.
The launch marks a tangible step toward the Shahbaz Sharif administration’s broader goal of transforming Pakistan into a welfare state that prioritises human capital. Officials have announced that the first batch of schools will open in the coming months, with plans to expand the network to cover all provinces over the next five years. The success of the programme will hinge on sustained funding, community engagement, and continuous monitoring of educational outcomes.