Pehli Kiran Schools' (PKS) approach to funding its operations is simple: limit overhead expenses and provide the maximum funds to support the day-to-day operations of the PKS system. In this regard, the overall management of the organization has been carried out by the Managing Trustee pro-bono, since the start of operations in 1995, which financially benefits the organization.
Going forward - as the school system expands - more administrative resources will be required to manage operations. This will be done prudently to keep on-going expenses low, with a focus on continuing to provide quality education at competitive costs to our students. The average annual cost per student is currently about USD70, one of the lowest cost primary education delivery models operating in Pakistan. It is an all-inclusive cost, covering student materials, uniforms, nutrition supplements, teacher salaries and all other operational expenses.
Over 80% of Pehli Kiran Schools' operating costs are funded through individual philanthropy and donations. Annual fund-raising campaigns are conducted by the Board of Trustees to meet our operating costs. In 2000, a significant donation was received from the late Mr. Jamshed Akhtar Qureshi. A range of in-kind donations is also accepted. For example, infrastructure-related materials, text-books, note-books, stationery and art supplies, school equipment, sports equipment, uniforms and sweaters, mobile telephones, laptops and desktop computers (new and used), tablets, office furniture and nutrition supplements for the children are amongst many generous contributions.
We partner with various development organizations to provide technical training, academic inputs, and initiatives like student health screenings. A wide range of co-curricular activities is also carried out with support from partner organizations.
PKS charges students a nominal fee currently ranging from PKR 250 to 500 per month, to help validate demand for the services and encourage a sense of ownership and self-help within our communities. Students who cannot afford to pay this fee are granted a fee waiver. This fee covers less than 10% of our total annual costs. PKS provides a range of materials and services to our students, including books, note-books, stationery, uniforms and sweaters, nutrition supplements, and other needs.
PKS prides itself on transparency, which includes external annual financial audits, carried out by reputable, independent chartered accountant firms. PKS is registered with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as a tax-exempt non-profit Trust and certified by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy.
