Hundreds gather for The Citizens Foundation's annual conference in Dubai
TCF UAE has built over 80 schools and sustains 130 school units
DUBAI: The Citizens Foundation (TCF), a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to educating underprivileged children in Pakistan, recently held its Annual Supporters Conference and Dinner at the Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel in Dubai.
The event brought together over 700 guests, including philanthropists, education advocates, and long-time supporters, to celebrate TCF’s impact and discuss its vision for the future.
Since its inception in 2004, TCF UAE has been instrumental in supporting education initiatives in Pakistan. As the first international chapter of TCF, it is registered with Dubai Humanitarian and has built a strong network of supporters. Over the years, these efforts have contributed to the construction of more than 80 schools, with over 130 school units currently being sustained by TCF UAE.
Pakistan faces a severe education crisis, with 26.2 million children out of school. Many of these children are caught in a cycle of poverty, gender biases, and lack of access to quality schools. TCF is committed to breaking these barriers by providing high-quality education in underserved communities.
Expanding reach
During the conference, TCF CEO Syed Asaad Ayub Ahmad highlighted the organisation’s impressive growth over the past decade. “In 2014, we had 1,000 school units educating 145,000 students. Today, we operate 2,033 school units, serving 301,000 students. Our impact has doubled, proving the power of collective effort in transforming lives through education,” he stated.
He also spoke about TCF’s flagship college for grades 11 and 12, which has become the top-ranking college in Karachi since its establishment in 2016. Additionally, the Aagahi adult literacy programme has reached 221,000 learners since 2005, doubling its impact in the past decade.
Beyond the classroom
TCF Executive Vice President Riaz Kamlani emphasised that the organisation’s work goes beyond traditional schooling. “Education is just the beginning. TCF is committed to supporting its alumni through higher education, empowering communities with clean drinking water initiatives and vocational training, and making a broader impact through public-private partnerships,” he noted.
Since 2016, TCF has adopted 250 underperforming public schools, leading to a 260% increase in student enrolment within two years. To further its impact, the organisation took on 118 additional schools in 2024 and is planning to adopt over 400 more in 2025.
Reflections from TCF founder
Ahsan Saleem, Founder and Chairman of TCF, addressed the audience with a message of perseverance and commitment: “It is truly humbling to stand here today, surrounded by remarkable people who have carried TCF forward for three decades. What began as a small effort has become a movement that brings hope, change, and opportunity to thousands of children across Pakistan. By the grace of God, the TCF movement now extends beyond the classroom, reaching into communities and influencing public and private sector education across Pakistan.
“Through challenges and crises, we have pressed on, guided by an unshakable belief that education can transform lives. When we set the goal of 1,000 schools, many thought it was impossible. Today, we stand at over 2,033 school units – a testament to the power of collective effort and unwavering faith. As long as we have compassion for others, as long as we take action – not just talk – and as long as we believe, no force on earth can stop us from moving forward.”
Innovative education solutions
Recognising that 80 percent of Pakistan’s out-of-school children have never attended school and are beyond the age of enrolment, TCF has launched the ‘Sujaag’ Literacy and Life Skills Programme. This initiative is designed to equip older children with functional literacy, numeracy skills, and essential life skills, such as hygiene awareness, financial literacy, and social empowerment.
A journey of transformation
One of the most inspiring moments of the conference was the story of Shabana Begum, a TCF alumna from Gharibabad, Mardan. In a region where girls’ education has long been a challenge, Shabana’s journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of education.
In 2007, TCF established its first school in Gharibabad, and today, there are seven. Shabana’s mother, who worked as an ‘aya’ (maid) at the school, enrolled her children despite societal pressures. Shabana went on to become the first university graduate in her community in 2024. Today, she has returned as a TCF teacher, determined to uplift the next generation of girls in her hometown.