SabaqIn 2017, we pledged to open up 500 SABAQ Centers where 20,000 children who had never stepped inside a school would have a chance to learn. By the end of the year, we beat our own target, opening up 545 SABAQ Centers that are attended by 21,800 students across Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammed Khan and Mirpurkhas.
After experimenting and extensive field research, we developed a model that delivers high quality learning using technology in a sustainable way that engages and empowers community members.
The SABAQ model also places high importance on community engagement that in turn leads to community contribution and ownership of the SABAQ Centers that are opened up. This ensures both operational and financial sustainability.
We started out SABAQ Centers focusing on providing primary level education to remedy the alarming number of out-of-school children that we observed in these areas. Not only were we able to do that, we helped generate employment by training natives to become facilitators that manage and teach at SABAQ Centers. Village Education Committees were also formed that brought together members to take up management and oversight as well as ensure financial sustainability. These members are volunteers, who look after SABAQ Center operations including keeping track of facilitator and student attendance as well as preventing drop-outs.
We’re gearing up for the SABAQ 100K Challenge and we’re going to be needing your help. Watch this space for more details!