by In a transformative stride toward educational equity, the Punjab government has announced the launch of four new Daanish Schools—two for boys and two for girls—located in Taunsa and Mankera, augmenting the province’s existing free-education network for underprivileged but bright students.
🎯 What Are Daanish Schools?
Established in 2010, Daanish Schools are fully funded by the government and provide quality boarding education at zero cost to students from low-income families. Each campus typically admits 110 students annually—100 on full merit with free tuition, boarding, meals, uniforms, and books, and 10 on a self-paying basis.
🏫 Expansion Highlights
- New Campuses Approved: The Punjab Daanish Schools & Centre of Excellence Authority, during its 37th meeting, greenlit the Taunsa and Mankera schools. Additionally, Centres of Excellence are planned for Chakwal, Pir Mahal, and Phool Nagar (Kasur) this year.
- Inclusivity Boost: The quota for students from Balochistan has been increased across all existing Daanish Schools, reflecting a commitment to national inclusion.
- Impressive Outcomes: With 84% of Daanish graduates securing admissions to top-tier universities, the initiative showcases exceptional public trust and academic success. Punjab Expands Free Education Network.
📈 Funding & Infrastructure
Punjab’s 2025–26 education budget saw a 21.2% increase, reaching Rs 811.8 billion. Of this, Rs 3.5 billion is dedicated to the Daanish Schools Programme. Across the province, funds have been allocated toward constructing classrooms, IT labs, scholarships, and strategic infrastructure catering to underserved regions.
On the federal stage, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has cleared six new Daanish School projects in Balochistan, AJK, and other provinces, totaling Rs 19.253 billion—each under a 50:50 cost-sharing scheme with provincial governments. These projects signal rapid scaling of the model beyond Punjab. Punjab Expands Free Education Network with New Daanish Schools.
🌍 National Vision
The project echoes a nationwide vision championed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who intends to replicate the Daanish model in Islamabad, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK, former FATA, and other remote regions. Critically, in January 2025, a foundation stone was laid for the first Daanish School Science & Technology Center in Bhimber, AJK.
Moreover, in March, a £190 million fund from the UK’s National Crime Agency was earmarked for establishing a Daanish University in Islamabad, slated to open in mid‑2026 with free education for disadvantaged youth.
💡 Why It Matters
- Bridging Opportunity Gaps – By offering elite-quality education free of cost, Daanish Schools empower rural and low-income students to compete at national and international levels.
- Setting a Model – Punjab’s pioneering approach—with merit-based admissions, boarding, and holistic education—has catalyzed similar initiatives in other regions.
- Economic & Social Impact – Scholarship recipients not only attain academic outcomes but also become role models and community changemakers .
📝 Conclusion
Punjab’s bold expansion of Daanish Schools deepens its social impact and strengthens educational infrastructure for the most vulnerable. With new campuses in Taunsa and Mankera, increased inclusivity quotas, and nationwide adoption, the initiative stands as a beacon of equitable education in Pakistan. The nearby launch of a dedicated university further raises the bar—ushering in a future where free, high-quality education is a right, not a privilege.
