PKS-5 was started in 2006 with an enrollment of 80 students, which has now grown to 430 students, 41% girls. Over 90% of students pass the national government Board exam. Over the last three years, 406 students from PKS-5 successfully pursued further education at mainstream schools.

PKS-5 also operates in morning and afternoon shifts to provide flexibility to students who work part-time. Students are provided free school supplies, uniforms, and nutritional supplements. Parents in this school have shown great appreciation of the Montessori approach, with children greatly enjoying and learning through self-driven engagement with Montessori materials. Montessori pedagogy has led to instilling important values of peace, tolerance, and much-needed harmony between Muslim and Christian students. It is a delight to see children extend respect to the other’s faith, and join each other’s celebrations at Eid and Christmas festivals.

PKS-5 serves a large community of more than 2,000 multi-faith (Muslim and Christian) households, working in small shops and factories. In many households, women working as domestic helpers are the primary bread earners. This community moved to Islamabad 19 years ago, mostly from central Punjab province, with Punjabi and Urdu as the main languages spoken.

Kanwal Gulshan, a PKS-5 student, was selected by the Right to Play Foundation to go to Russia as part of the delegation representing Pakistan at the Football for Hope Festival. On her return, she created an all-girls football team, which she captains and plays matches regularly within the community! This has led to an amazing promotion of sports, especially for girls. Similarly, Romesh, a PKS-5 graduate, is now pursuing a career in Marketing while studying part-time to further his skills. A few of Romesh’s friends are successfully running a Beauty Parlour within the community.

It is a tremendous task, humbling and gratifying, to alter the lives of vulnerable children living in impoverished conditions in the slums of Islamabad, by providing them quality education and unforgettable experiences and opportunities they would otherwise be deprived of.