KARACHI, Jan 18: The Citizens Foundation that began its journey 12 years ago by setting up only five purpose-built schools has established 530 schools across the country so far, while 75 more will be opened by the next academic session commencing on April 1.

Most of these schools, which are located in the urban slums of the country’s four provinces and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, have been imparting primary and secondary education to more than 65,000 girls and boys. In addition, 40 schools established by the foundation in the quake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir, for which the design was prescribed by the Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Authority, have been offering quality education services to the locals.

The past achievements, existing services and future plans of the foundation were explained at an a ceremony held at the KMC Sports Complex on Sunday evening. The function was organised in recognition of the services being rendered by over 1,800 female teachers associated with its network of 230 schools operating in Karachi. Teachers of the city-based schools were conferred achievement awards in different categories such as cent per cent attendance award, 10-year service award and outstanding performance award. Similar ceremonies for schoolteachers of the foundation’s other regions will be held in due course of time.

Highlighting salient features of the schools, TCF’s vice-president Ahson Rabbani and assistant manager (marketing) Beena Kohati-Bilal said the foundation believed that provision of classrooms, proper desks and chairs, a play area and an adequately stocked library were imperative to create an environment conducive for studies in schools. That’s the reason all its schools were purpose-built and equipped with essential facilities such as clean toilets, electricity and running water, they said.

It was pointed out that a standard primary school of the foundation has an estimated covered area of 6,000 to 6,500 square feet. In addition to a play area, canteen, guard room and separate clean toilets for boys and girls, the primary school comprises six classrooms from pre-primary to Class V, a library/art room, an administration block consisting of a faculty room, an accounts office and a principal’s room.

Similarly, a standard secondary school on a covered area of 15,000 to 16,000 square feet has 10 classrooms for two sections each of Class V to Class X. In addition to basic facilities, the schools are equipped with physics, chemistry, biology and computer labs.

The TCF officials said that this year the foundation will achieve another landmark by opening 75 schools at eight new locations. Last year, they said, the foundation created 5,310 jobs. At present, its female faculty comprised 3,550 members across the country, they said, adding that the TCF provided job opportunities to people with different educational backgrounds in Muzaffarabad, Jehlum, Chakwal, Khushab, Lahore, Zafarwal, Bhalwal, Mian Channu, Bhurewala, Khanewal, Jhang, Hub, Karachi, Kotri, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Tando Allayar and Ketti Bandar.