Focus on Female EducationFemale students consist of 60% of DIL’s student population. This is a great achievement given that the national literacy rate for women in Pakistan stands at only 38%.
US-Based GovernanceDIL operates under the governance of a US-based Executive Board that establishes organizational policies, develops strategic goals and initiatives and monitors projects to determine whether DIL’s educational and administrative standards are being met. In addition, the US-based Executive Board works closely with DIL’s Pakistan-based Board of Trustees in decision-making on all policy and project matters.
Community-Owned SchoolsDIL schools are community-owned and have a village education committee that provides support to teachers and ensures the community’s involvement and oversight.
Addressing the Needs of Rural Teachers and StudentsDIL’s Teacher Development Center works with rural teachers to improve their teaching skills and subject content knowledge. DIL collaborates with the teachers when developing lesson plans and teaching materials, etc. to ensure that their needs are fully met.
Activity-Based LearningIn this inquiry-based approach, students develop knowledge and understanding through engaging activities that help to foster creativity and critical thinking skills.
Low Dropout RateThe average student dropout rate for DIL schools in 2007 was only 2.5%, which is an enormous success considering the national dropout rate in Pakistan is 45%.
Oversight and TransparencyDIL takes great pride in its school and program monitoring system and has always maintained complete financial transparency. DIL’s monitoring framework consists of a three-tiered approach that includes local monitors, regional monitors and national monitoring visits conducted by DIL’s Board of Trustees and Executive Board members. The DIL accounts are audited annually by reputable accounting firms both in the US and Pakistan