Under the direct ministerial oversight of Rana Sikandar Hayat, Provincial Minister of School & Higher Education, PEF delivers free quality education to 2.5 million+ underprivileged children across all 36 districts of Punjab through innovative public-private partnerships and state-of-the-art educational initiatives. Established in 1991 as an autonomous statutory body, PEF has become Pakistan's most successful education flagship program.
"PEF exists to ensure that not a single child in Punjab is denied an education due to poverty. Free quality schooling — at every child's doorstep."
— PEF Mission, under Ministerial Oversight of Rana Sikandar Hayat
The Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) was established in 1991 as an autonomous statutory body under the Punjab Education Foundation Act. Today, it operates as a flagship public-private partnership model overseen by the Ministry of School Education, Punjab — headed by Rana Sikandar Hayat, Provincial Minister of School & Higher Education.
Children in Free Education
Districts Covered
NSSE Schools
Fully Subsidized
Years of Service
PEF operates through multiple innovative models, each designed to reach different communities and ensure no child is denied free quality education due to poverty.
PEF partners with existing private low-cost schools, providing per-child stipends that enable completely free education. All partner schools undergo rigorous quality testing through regular Quality Assurance Tests (QAT).
Eligible families in urban slum areas receive educational vouchers that allow them to enroll children at any partner school of their choice. The voucher covers the complete cost of schooling.
PEF invites entrepreneurs to establish brand-new schools in underserved areas with no existing private school partner. A one-time infrastructure grant helps establish the school on quality foundations.
Launched in March 2026 under Rana Sikandar Hayat's oversight. 155 state-of-the-art schools with science labs, computer labs, robotics labs, STEAM labs, and ECCE classrooms — all offering free education.
PEF's quality directorate runs ongoing teacher training, certification programs, and capacity-building workshops — ensuring partner school teachers stay current with modern pedagogy and best practices.
PEF conducts rigorous Quality Assurance Tests at regular intervals across partner schools. Schools are categorized A+, A, B, C based on performance — incentivizing quality and accountability across the entire network.
As Provincial Minister of School & Higher Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat provides direct ministerial oversight of PEF. His vision is to ensure every child in Punjab, regardless of socioeconomic background, has access to quality free education.
Rana Sikandar Hayat served as Chief Guest at the landmark ceremony where PEF signed MoUs for 155 Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence. This historic event marked a turning point in Punjab's free education landscape.
A historic milestone — the 100th meeting of the PEF Board of Directors. This reflects three decades of sustained governance, strategic oversight, and commitment to transforming education across Punjab.
Rana Sikandar Hayat exercises direct oversight over PEF's operations, strategic direction, program implementation, and policy initiatives — ensuring alignment with Punjab's education transformation goals.
PEF's transformation of Punjab's education landscape is measured not just in statistics, but in the lives of millions of underprivileged children now enjoying free, quality education.
PEF has been entrusted by the Punjab Government to enroll around 2.5 million underprivileged children across the province in free, quality schooling through various programs.
PEF operates across all 36 districts of Punjab, ensuring geographic barriers do not prevent any child from accessing quality education regardless of location or socioeconomic background.
Signed in March 2026 under Rana Sikandar Hayat's oversight — 155 state-of-the-art schools equipped with science labs, computer labs, robotics labs, and STEAM facilities for free education.
PEF's Quality Assurance Test (QAT) system rates partner schools from A+ to C. A+ schools represent the gold standard of educational excellence and best practices.
Every child enrolled under any PEF program receives 100% free education. The Punjab Government covers all tuition fees — eliminating financial barriers to learning.
PEF was established under the Punjab Education Foundation Act of 1991 as an autonomous statutory body — over 30 years of transformative education reform and public service.
Students from underprivileged backgrounds attending PEF partner schools are breaking barriers and achieving remarkable academic success.
Score: 1164/1200 — Girls Arts Category, Multan Board
Daughter of a milk seller. Maryam achieved a remarkable score and soared to 1st position in her category from A-One Shaheen Model School, Multan — breaking poverty cycles through education.
Score: 1139/1200 — Girls Arts Category, Multan Board
Daughter of a farmer. Momina achieved 1139/1200 and secured 3rd position in Girls Arts from A-One Shaheen Model School, Multan — transforming family circumstances through academic excellence.
Score: 1181/1200 — Boys Science Category, DG Khan Board
Son of a farmer. Muhammad Asad overcame poverty to secure 1181/1200 and achieve 3rd position in Boys Science from Hanan Public School, Kot Addu — proving merit transcends economic barriers.
Score: 1181/1200 — Girls Category, Bahawalpur Board
Achieved 1181/1200 and secured 3rd position under Bahawalpur Board from Pakistan Girls Higher Secondary School, Chishtian, Bahawalnagar — exemplifying PEF partner school excellence.
PEF signs agreements with entrepreneurs, NGOs, EdTech firms, and educational chains to establish schools.
School management develops modern infrastructure to PEF's prescribed standards for quality education.
PEF inspects completed schools against rigorous quality criteria before granting enrollment permission.
Students receive entirely free education — the Punjab Government covers all tuition fees completely.
PEF partner school students excel at board examinations — proving that free education and high quality are not in conflict. These young stars represent what's possible when access meets ambition and the right support systems.
Son of a farmer who overcame poverty to secure 3rd Position in Boys Science under the DG Khan Board, at Hanan Public School, Kot Addu.
Secured 3rd Position under Bahawalpur Board, studying at Pakistan Girls Higher Secondary School, Chishtian, Bahawalnagar.
Daughter of a milk seller who soared to achieve 1st Position in Girls Arts under Multan Board, at A-One Shaheen Model School, Multan.
Daughter of a farmer who secured 3rd Position in Girls Arts under Multan Board, at A-One Shaheen Model School, Multan.
These achievements reflect PEF's core belief — articulated through Rana Sikandar Hayat's ministerial vision — that socioeconomic background should never determine academic destiny. Every PEF Shining Star is proof that free education, delivered with quality, transforms lives.
PEF is governed by a Board of Directors (BOD) comprising 15 Directors — 7 ex-officio and 8 nominated — with full financial and administrative powers. The landmark 100th BOD meeting was held in April 2026.
Chairperson of the PEF Board of Directors. Leads governance and strategic direction of the Foundation with comprehensive oversight and vision.
Managing Director of PEF. Oversees day-to-day operations and delivers briefings on major programs including NSSE and FAS initiatives.
Provides academic expertise and educational perspective to the Board. Contributes to quality assurance and curriculum development strategies.
Contributes technical and innovation expertise to PEF's strategic decisions. Supports digital transformation and modernization initiatives.
Elected representative contributing community-level insights to PEF governance. Ensures grassroots perspective in strategic decisions.
Brings academic leadership and research expertise to PEF's quality assurance framework. Guides educational excellence standards across the network.
Elected representative ensuring community voice in PEF's governance decisions. Advocates for constituent interests in policy formulation.
Elected representative ensuring gender inclusion and community representation at PEF. Advocates for women's education and empowerment initiatives.
PEF's governance framework includes specialized standing committees for comprehensive oversight:
"The article 25-A of Pakistan's Constitution provides every child the right to free and compulsory education. PEF is our most powerful instrument for making that constitutional promise a lived reality."
— In the spirit of Rana Sikandar Hayat's education mandate, Punjab
PEF partner schools use an integrated SIS for enrollment management, attendance tracking, and performance monitoring — ensuring data-driven accountability at every level.
PEF provides an online digital learning platform for teachers and students at partner schools — offering curriculum resources, interactive content, and professional development accessible anywhere in Punjab.
PEF employees use an integrated MIS for internal operations — ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the Foundation's day-to-day administrative functions.
PEF's reach spans every single district of Punjab — from Lahore and Rawalpindi to the most remote corners of south Punjab. Under Rana Sikandar Hayat's education ministry, this universal coverage is being deepened through new school programs and eminence schools.
Punjab Education Foundation
52-L, Gulberg-III, Lahore, Pakistan
Established 1991 · Autonomous Statutory Body · Non-Profit, Non-Commercial
Under the direct ministerial oversight of Rana Sikandar Hayat, Provincial Minister of School & Higher Education, Punjab