WHY TEDDS? GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

How It All Started

Sheikh Tahir Yousaf, an advocate of the High Court, followed in the foot steps of his father (Sheikh Yousaf) who is responsible for starting the whole process that led to TEDDS. Fifty years ago, Sheikh Yousaf sponsored a child’s education on the conditions of anonymity. That child, Chaudhary Sardar, used to work at a railway station and later grew to become an Inspector General of Police. Sheikh Yousaf contributed to many children’s education, but, his son took it further and institutionalized a benefactory educational system. With some old Ravian friends (Ch. Sardar among them), a Trust was founded for deserving students. The first Trust School was operational in 1996 and the second in 2001. A process that started with one kind man educating a small child has grown into a large organization where today more than 1000 students are getting high quality education due to the Trust. It all became possible because of generous contributions and donations by the Trustees and their friends who believed that education is one of the basic fundamental rights of every human being. The story behind TEDDS is so fascinating that it was even documented by renowned columnist Javed Chaudhary in his daily column in the newspaper Jang.

TEDDS believes in equality of the human race. Pakistani social structure disallows access to equal opportunities. Therefore, it hinders development of the underprivileged and denies merit a chance to live its future. The Government is constrained by its financial resources and low priority accorded to education. Hence, there is an imperative need to bridge the gap by establishing quality Schools and Collages exclusively for the underprivileged classes of the society wherein talented and deserving students can be nurtured in a stimulating and enriching environment. Budding students of today deserve to be provided with best educational facilities to shape them into successful and happy citizens of tomorrow. 
 

Most importantly, the very few affluent and the prosperous segment of the Pakistani society cannot live in isolation and maintain their seclusion by denying the basics to the poor. Social crimes such as theft, dacoity, kidnap, ransom etc. are symptoms of deprivation, abuse and injustice. These can only be corrected by rewarding education, gainful employment, equitable distribution of resources, economic development and social justice.

TEDDS aspires to bring a change in this social order by creating opportunities to those children from the poor and deserving segment of Pakistan who are endowed with merit, ability & zest for life and dream of breaking away from their inheritance of gloom and despair but are denied a fair chance to prove their worth due to discrimination and lack of resources.

TEDDS is committed to improving the overall literacy rate and enhancing standard of education amongst the underprivileged children of Pakistan.

• The primary objective of TEDDS is to establish and operate a network of schools on national level providing quality Education to the underprivileged Children of Pakistan FREE or ON LOW COST BASIS.

• More institutions will be added with full emphasis on teaching of science, languages and skill development. Exclusive schools/colleges/ industrial homes / skill development centers for female students will also be added gradually. 

• The criterion of selection of children is purely academic merit in previous studies, in-house tests and interview to evaluate the potential of the child to excel in the future education.

• The financial status of the parents / guardian of the inductees is verified carefully to determine the eligibility for financial assistance / subsidy in fees and grant of scholarships from TEDDS Zakat Fund. High Achievers and Orphans are given preference.

After successful operation of The Trust Schools at Thokar Niaz Baig & Aamir Town, Harbanspura, Lahore, TEDDS has initiated the construction of 3rd The Trust School at Baghrian, Lahore which is likely to be completed by October, 2008.  In addition, land has also been purchased to construct an exclusive High School for Girls as well as a Co - educational Primary School adjacent to The Trust School, Aamir Town, Harbanspura, Lahore.

Presently TEDDS is working in Lahore but we have a future plan to gradually establish 25 quality institutions all over Pakistan in the next decade or so subject to availability of resources. Subsequently more institutions will be added with full emphasis on teaching of science, languages, skill development and technical advancement. Exclusive Schools/Colleges/ Industrial Homes/Skill Development Centers for female students will also be added gradually.