Our Story

Dr. Zafar Qadir – the then Political Agent and head of the district government in Kohlu (Balochistan) during 1989-90 conceived the idea of launching an English medium, co-education, modern educational institution in the foothold of the Marri tribe to combat poverty and crime through educational endeavors and to encourage community development through consultative process.

The first school was established in Kohlu in the year 1989. The student strength initially stood at thirty (30) students only. Today, Taaleem Foundation educates 4000 students on an average every year providing them access to quality education in a child friendly atmosphere. Till date, eight (8) schools have been established to replicate the benefits of this model to other areas in Balochistan. The faculty, today, consists of over 200 lady teachers and professional managers who are managing everyday operations.

The model was replicated in Zhob Agency in 1991; Killa Saifullah in 1992; Loralai and Muslim Bagh in 1993; and Pishin and Sui (Dera Bugti) in 1994. The effort was further extended to Mastung in 1994, where Orya Maqbool Jan Abbasi – the then Deputy Commissioner Mastung offered to hold his brainchild “Sarawan Public School” in the folds of Taaleem Foundation.

During this process, an umbrella organisation ‘PAPER‘ (Pakistan Academy for the Promotion of Education and Research) was established in 1993 to coordinate the efforts; streamline evolution process; monitor growth; and provide leadership to the field institutions. The organization was subsequently renamed as “TAALEEM FOUNDATION“.

Having initiated the social change intervention in the Marri Agency, Taaleem Foundation continues to concentrate its efforts in the least developed and most deprived tribal districts of Pakistan. At its field office in Loralai, the Foundation also operates a resource center for teachers training, curriculum development, capacity building and institutional support to the field institutions.

The founders of Taaleem Foundation envisioned to educate a social change in Balochistan in the early nineties. Over the course of three decades, it has successfully played a vital role in providing a platform for the youth and the vulnerable to grow and move towards empowerment. The seeds have been implanted, the fruits are being reaped today for the people of Pakistan.