Terms of Reference

PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAM (PSSP)

Handing over of Low Performing Public Sector

Schools through Punjab Education Foundation

Punjab Education Foundation

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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 4
OBJECTIVES OF PSSP ............................................................................................................................... 5
ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANTS .................................................................................................................... 6
INSTITUTIONS.......................................................................................................................................... 6
1.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR EDUCATIONAL CHAINS ................................................................. 6

2.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR NGO(S)/CSO(S) .............................................................................. 6

INDIVIDUALS ........................................................................................................................................... 7
3.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR OWNER OF PEF PARTNER SCHOOL: ............................................. 7

4.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL .................................................................... 7

5.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR OWNER OF PRIVATE SCHOOL....................................................... 7

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS............................................................................................................ 8

APPLICATION PROCEDURES .................................................................................................................... 9
GUIDELINES TO APPLY ............................................................................................................................ 9
ADVERTISEMENT................................................................................................................................... 14
SCRUTINY OF APPLICATIONS.................................................................................................................14
APPLICATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE-PSSP........................................................................................14
REJECTION OF APPLICATIONS ...............................................................................................................15
EVALUATION CRITERIA..........................................................................................................................15
MATCH-MAKING ................................................................................................................................... 17
MATCH-MAKING PROCESS....................................................................................................................17
TORs OF COMMITTEE .......................................................................................................................17
(I) GUIDELINES FOR MATCH-MAKING AMONGST APPLICANTS ..............................................................17
NOTIFICATION OF SELECTED LIST.......................................................................................................... 17
GRIEVANCE AGAINST DECISIONS OF SCRUITNY AND MATCH-MAKING COMMITTEE...........................17
FINAL SELECTED LIST .............................................................................................................................18
AGREEMENT SIGNING ...........................................................................................................................18
BASELINE QAT ....................................................................................................................................... 18
PAYMENT MECHANISM ........................................................................................................................18
HANDING OVER OF SCHOOLS................................................................................................................18
COMMENCEMENT OF CLASSES............................................................................................................. 18
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PSSP SCHOOLS ...............................................................................................19
APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................................ 20
LIST OF DOCUMENT TO BE ATTACHED WITH APPLICATION..............................................................20
For Educational Chains..................................................................................................................20
For NGO(s)/CSO(s) ........................................................................................................................20
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For PEF Partner .............................................................................................................................21

For Private Schools........................................................................................................................21
For Private Individuals...................................................................................................................21
APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................................................ 22
SPECIMENS FOR AFFIDAVIT .............................................................................................................. 22
APPENDIX C ........................................................................................................................................ 25

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INTRODUCTION
Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) promotes free and quality education through Public Private
Partnership (PPP) under Punjab Education Foundation Act 2004 through series of programs such
as FAS, EVS, NSP which are non-commercial non-profit in nature. PEF is creating substantial
change

in

remote areas of Punjab

through free of

cost schooling

for under

privileged/disadvantaged. Government of the Punjab through Board of Directors (BOD) of PEF

has initiated and approved Pubic School Support Program (PSSP) under Punjab Education
Foundation (PEF) to improve quality of education in low performing public schools. This is a noncommercial, non-profit program with aim to provide free of cost quality education in existing
public schools through involvement of private sector.

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OBJECTIVES OF PSSP
In order to fulfil obligations under article 25-A of constitution of Pakistan and to enhance
involvement of private sector to complement efforts of public sector in provision of free and
compulsory education for all children of the age 5-16, the objectives of PSSP are as under:
1. To increase enrolment in low performing Public Sector Schools.
2. To improve quality of education.
3. To provide conducive teaching and learning facilities.
4.

To ensure enrolment of Out of School Children (OOS).

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ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANTS
Potential applicants may apply under two main categories as below:
1. Institutions
2. Individuals
The eligibility criteria for each category is as under:

INSTITUTIONS
1.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR EDUCATIONAL CHAINS

i.

ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

vi.

2.

Educational Chains registered with government or HEC recognized Public or Private

Universities having at least five years of experience however, public/private universities
would be exempted from condition given below at serial no. (iii).
At least five years experience in Education Sector.
Must be operating at least ten formal private schools registered with Education
Department Government of the Punjab.
Educational Chain must apply for a cluster of at least 10 schools (no limit for maximum
schools in a cluster).
Schools within a cluster may be situated in one or more districts. However, if an
Educational Chain is interested to apply for less than 10 schools, it may apply as a private
individual/private school owner and therefore, all the terms and conditions of a private
individual/school owner shall be applicable.
Educational Chains may apply for 50% more than their aimed/targeted cluster size so
that if there is match/contest amongst various applicants then they may be able to have
their aimed/target number of schools. They shall mention their priority number against
each school (The form is available along with application form on PEF website)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR NGO(S)/CSO(S)

i.

ii.

iii.
iv.
v.

Registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations

(CSOs) working on non commercial basis having an experience of at least five years in
the Education Sector or at least 3 years experience of working in social sector with
government on non commercial basis in at least 20 districts of Punjab.
NGO(s)/CSO(s) must have an experience of managing on non commercial basis at least
20 formal education schools registered with School Education Department, Govt of
Punjab or have at least 3 years experience of working in social sector with government in
at least 20 districts of Punjab.
NGO(s)/CSO(s) have never been convicted of any criminal charges by court of law or any
Public Department.
NGO(s)/CSO(s) must apply for a cluster of at least 10 schools (no limit for maximum
schools in a cluster).
Schools within a cluster may be situated in one or more districts. However, if
NGO(s)/CSO(s) are interested to apply for less than 10 schools, it may apply as a Private
Individual/Private School Owner and therefore, all the terms and conditions of a Private
Individual//Private School Owner shall be applicable.
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NGO(s)/CSO(s) may apply for 50% more than their aimed/targeted cluster size so that if
there is match/contest amongst various applicants then they may be able to have their
aimed/target number of schools. They shall mention their priority number against each
school (The form is available along with application form on PEF website)

vi.

INDIVIDUALS
3.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR OWNER OF PEF PARTNER SCHOOL:

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

4.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL

i.

ii.
iii.

iv.
5.

Current PEF partner school owners having valid partnership since Jan. 2014 or before.
Average of last 3 Quality Assurance Test (QAT) SHALL BE 80%.
Distance between the PEF partner school and the school being applied for SHALL NOT be
more than 20KMs.
The school owner SHALL NOT have been charged under allegations of money charging
or corporal punishment.
Consecutive twice failure schools of QAT are NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
PEF partner school owner may apply for at least 05 schools however, if selected,
agreement would be signed in respect of only one school.

Private individuals having qualification of at least BA/BSc or equivalent and have at least
05 years of teaching/administrative experience in education sector are eligible to apply.
(However, individuals with higher qualification are likely to be preferred)
Applicant SHALL NOT be convicted of any criminal charges by court of law or public
department.
Currently in service government employees ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
Private individual may apply for at least 05 schools however, if selected, agreement
would be signed in respect of only one school.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR OWNER OF PRIVATE SCHOOL

i.

ii.
iii.
iv.

Individual owners of private formal schools those who have at least 2 years registered
with Government of the Punjab (however, BISE affiliated secondary schools may be
preferred).
Applicant SHALL NOT been convicted of any criminal charges by court of law or public
department.
Currently in service government employees are not ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
Owner of Ex-partner schools whose partnership cancelled on account of twice failure of
QAT or has not completed two years of partnership with PEF for any other reason.

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GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Applicants must never have been convicted of any criminal charges by Court of Law or
any Public Department.
2. Currently in service government employees are not eligible to apply.
3. Schools and school owners that have been blacklisted by PEF are not eligible to apply.
4. Contents of the application shall be considered final and no application for
revisions/addition shall be considered.
5. Incomplete, unsigned, pruned (have cuttings) or applications based on incorrect
information shall be rejected. Mention Application for PSSP on the application
envelope.
6. All applicants shall submit a declaration on at least Rupees 50/- stamp paper along with
the application, that no false or deceptive information has been provided in the
application, and that he/she is able to verify and prove all information provided in the
application.
7. Misrepresentation of any kind shall automatically disqualify the applicant even after
agreement signing.
8. Selected applicants must comply with all applicable rules of the Government of Pakistan,
Government of Punjab, School Education Department (SED) and PEF.
9. It shall be mandatory for individuals category (3, 4 & 5) to ensure the participation of
their School Principals, Head Teachers and Teachers to attend trainings conducted by
PEF (as per policy).
10.

In order to ensure/evaluate quality of education QAT shall be conducted on annual

basis.

11. PEF Board of Director (BOD) has full authority to change/amend partially or completely
this Phase or policies related to it. Decision of BOD shall be considered final in this
regard.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURES
GUIDELINES TO APPLY
1.

Go to Punjab Education Foundation and click PSSP Tab on right side of Website
http://www.pef.edu.pk or go to link http://mis.pefsis.edu.pk/PSSP/

2.

After clicking of PSSP tab on main website, following webpage shall appear in the screen. Menu
having following option shall appear on the left side of the page.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Advertisement
TORs
How to apply
Login/Register

Before applying, applicant should read sections containing Terms of Reference (TORs) and How to
Apply.
3.

For new registration click on Login/Register option in the menu left side of the webpage.

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4.

Now fill the following details on the login page.

5.

Go to link All Schools

6.

Select your district/tehsil

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7.

Browse the schools list

8.

Add to Cart the school(s) you plan to apply for (repeat the process by selecting the same
District/different Districts/Tehsils in each cycle) until all desire schools have been added to cart. After
selecting desired number of schools/adding to cart. Go to link My Schools.

(There is no upper limit for institutions. However, institution must apply for at least 10 schools. Individuals may
apply for at a maximum five schools.)

9.

Option of removing from cart is also available.

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10. Go to link My Schools

11. Give priority to the List of Nominated Schools

12. Now click on the option Application Form given on the menu on the left side of the webpage.

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13. Now fill the details in the application form. For convenience of the user, option of saving each section
is available, however, every section can be updated any time before final submission. Moreover,
form will be submitted only once all the sections have been completed.

Caution: Form once submitted cannot be edited/deleted. However, may view/take fresh print for
submission/ own record

14. Printing (take print of on-line submitted application)

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15. Paper/documents submissions:

Sign the print taken of online submitted application.

Attach all the relevant documents along with affidavit and send to Punjab Education Foundation
Head Office through Post (courier) by 4:00pm, 31st December 2015. (List of documents to be attached
given in Appendix A of TORs, Specimen of Affidavit is given in Appendix B.

ADVERTISEMENT
Copy of advertisement is annexed at Appendix-C

SCRUTINY OF APPLICATIONS
All received applications shall be scrutinized and evaluated to see whether the applicant fulfils
eligibility criteria as per policy as published in advertisement and has provided all required essential
details and mandatory documents/affidavits.

APPLICATIONS SCRUTINY COMMITTEE-PSSP

Applications Scrutiny Committee-PSSP has been constituted for scrutiny of applications received
under Public School Support Program (PSSP).
TORs OF THE COMMITTEE
i.

The Committee shall be responsible for proper receiving of online submitted

applications (followed by paper copy of applications.)

ii.

The Committee shall scrutinize the submitted papers/applications and shall ensure that
these are complete in all respects.
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iii.

The Committee shall use the guidelines as provided in TORs, evaluate credential of each
application and grade them on an objective criterion (assigning a numeric value to each
application)

iv.

The committee shall prepare a draft Match-Making scheme/plan and shall submit this to
Match-Making Committee.

v.

The committee shall keep management updated on the progress of its work.

REJECTION OF APPLICATIONS
i.

If the applicant does not fulfil eligibility criterion as per policy and as published in
advertisement, application shall be rejected.

ii.

Incomplete, unsigned, pruned (have cuttings) or application having incorrect

information shall be rejected.

iii.

Online-submitted applications, not followed by printed copy shall be rejected.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Application scrutiny committee may evaluate the applications using the guidelines given below.
However, in cases where in fitness of provision of quality education, the Committee takes a
departure from broad guidelines as set in TORs /criterion as decided by Committee itself, it shall
clearly mention the reasons of such deviation(s).
Applicant

Educational Chain

University

Applicant

NGO
(Education Sector)

Criteria
Year of Establishment
No. of Branches
No. of Students
No. of Teachers
Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
Robust capacity building mechanism.
Financial / Audit Report
Year of Establishment
No. of Students
No. of Teachers
Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
Robust capacity building mechanism.
Financial / Audit Report
Criteria
Year of Establishment
No. of Branches
No. of Students
No. of Teachers
Funds Generated Last Year
Funds Spent Last Year
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NGO
(Social Sector)

Applicant

PEF Partner

Applicant

Private School

Applicant

Private Individual

No. of Years of Education Sector Experience with Govt

No. of Districts Of Operation
Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
Robust capacity building mechanism.
Financial / Audit Report
Year of Establishment
No. of Branches
No. Of beneficiaries
No. Of local/community mobilizers
Funds Generated Last Year
Funds Spent Last Year
No. of Years of Experience with Social Sector
No. of Districts of operation
Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
Robust capacity building mechanism.
Financial / Audit Report
Criteria
Year of Establishment
Whether original owner or not
Years of partnership
Enrolment
Teachers
Building Owned or Rented
Area
No. of Rooms
Level of School
Applicant school distance from applied school
Average of last 3 QATs
Criteria
Year of Establishment
Enrolment
Teachers
Building Owned or Rented
Area
No. of Rooms
Level of School
Criteria
Educational Qualification
Professional Qualification
Teaching Experience
Age Less than 65 Years
Experience of Running Private Educational Institution

Note: In case NGO has experience of both social and education sector, it should fill in application
form as per its area of strength.

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MATCH-MAKING
Since it is expected that more than one application may be submitted against a school, MatchMaking Committee shall consider the set of preferences against the submitted applications and carry
out the selection of best possible institution/individual against a given school.
In case of any grievance against the decision of match-making committee representation may be
made to MD-PEF, who after examining prima facie facts of the case, may refer the matter to
Executive Committee of Board of Directors of PEF.

MATCH-MAKING PROCESS
Match-Making Committee-PSSP has been constituted for Match-Making of options of
applications/applicants under Public School Support Program (PSSP).

TORs OF COMMITTEE
i.
ii.
iii.

(i)

The Committee shall examine draft Match-Making scheme/plan as submitted by

Applications Scrutiny Committee-PSSP.
The Committee shall use the guidelines as provided in TORs, finalize the schools to
best suited applicant using a plausible and cogent criterion.
In cases where in fitness of provision of quality education, the Committee takes a
departure from broad guidelines as set in TORs /criterion as decided by Committee
itself, it shall clearly mention the reasons of such deviation(s).

GUIDELINES FOR MATCH-MAKING AMONGST APPLICANTS

Institutional partners likely to be preferred over Individual Partners
Institutional Partners

Educational Chains/Universities

ii.

CSO(s)/NGO(s)

Between Institutional partners preference may be given to the one who has given
preference
For a specific region
Already has a school/branch close to preferred school
Any other cogent reason
Individual Partners

i.

i. PEF Partner

ii. Private Individual

iii. Private School

Between PEF partner and Private Individual/School preference may be given to PEF
partner

NOTIFICATION OF SELECTED LIST

List of selected applicants is likely to be notified by 5th February 2016.

GRIEVANCE AGAINST DECISIONS OF SCRUITNY AND MATCH-MAKING COMMITTEE

In case of any grievance against the decisions of Application, Scrutiny Committee PSSP or MatchMaking Committee PSSP, representation may be made to MD-PEF within 10 days of such decision,
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who after examining prima facie facts of the case, may refer the matter to Executive Committee of
Board of Directors (BOD) of PEF.

FINAL SELECTED LIST

Final selected list is likely to be notified by 15th February 2016.

AGREEMENT SIGNING
Agreements with selected applicants are likely to be signed between 16th 28th February 2016.

BASELINE QAT
First baseline QAT is planned to be conducted during the first week of March 2016.

PAYMENT MECHANISM
Qualified schools shall be provided with financial assistance on monthly basis. The payment shall be
transferred to relevant bank accounts of the Educational Chain/CSOs/NGOs/School Owners. The
school owners need to obtain a bank account in Bank of Punjab (BOP) within their respective
districts.
i.
ii.

iii.

iv.

In order to bear the educational and other school expenditures Rupees 550/- per child shall
be provided as decided by Punjab Education Foundation (PEF).
In case where enrolment is less than 150 during the first six months payments shall be made
for 150 students. However, after six months the payment shall be made as per the actual
number of students enrolled in the school.
In case of Educational Chains and NGO(s)/CSO(s) additional financial assistance may also be
provided as management cost. The amount of additional financial assistance shall be
determined by Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) and School Education Department (SED).
In cases of satisfactory performance in QATs additional premium may be provided to such
schools to encourage further improvements.

HANDING OVER OF SCHOOLS

Handing over of schools to finally selected applicants to be completed by 23rd March 2016.

COMMENCEMENT OF CLASSES
Classes shall commence in such schools w.e.f. 1st April 2016.

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CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PSSP SCHOOLS

Schools under PSSP shall abide by policies of School Education Department (SED). Any changes in the
existing policies may occur after obtaining written permission of SED through PEF. In general
following important areas may be adhered to:
i.

Uniform shall be as of Government schools.

ii.

Existing medium of instruction shall continue.

iii.

Schools shall also appear in annual PEC exams.

iv.

Punjab Curriculum Text Book Boards books shall be used (to be provided by SED/PEF).

v.

Monitoring and evaluation of schools may be conducted by SED/PEF. Moreover, frequency

of the monitoring shall be determined by SED/PEF. (Surprise visits of schools shall be in
addition to routine monitoring).

vi.

PEF shall conduct an annual QAT of PSSP Schools. However, quality targets (over and above
the baseline) shall also be set by PEF each year for PSSP Schools.

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APPENDIX A
LIST OF DOCUMENT TO BE ATTACHED WITH APPLICATION
For Educational Chains
1

Attested copy of CNIC of applicant (Mandatory)

Educational Chains Profile

National Tax Number

Audit Financial Report of last 02 years

List of completed and ongoing projects along with detail of clients

List of current functional/operational schools (or branches)

Copy of Registration Certificates/HEC Registration Certificate in Case of University

Existing Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism

Periodical Evaluation - Internal and External (if any)

10 Mechanism for Capacity Building (including Modules developed and number of Trainers)
11 Authority Letter in favor of Focal Person
12 Affidavit (Specimen Given in TORs)
13

List of Running Schools (Containing School Name, Address, Registration Number, District, Tehsil
and coordinates of schools )

For NGO(s)/CSO(s)
1

Attested copy of CNIC of applicant (Mandatory)

Organizations Profile (also provide registration number)

National Tax Number

Audit Financial Report of last 02 years

List of completed and ongoing projects along with detail of clients

List of current functional/operational schools

Copy of Registration Certificates

Existing Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism

Periodical Evaluation - Internal and External (if any)

10 Mechanism for Capacity Building (including Modules developed and number of Trainers)
11 Authority Letter in favor of Focal Person
12 Affidavit (Specimen Given in TORs)
13

List of Running Schools (Containing School Name, Address, Registration Number, District, Tehsil
and coordinates of schools )
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For PEF Partner

1

Attested copy of CNIC of applicant (Mandatory)

Copy of PEF Partner School Agreement and Registration

Detailed CV

Attested copy of CNIC

Attested copy of Domicile

Attested copy of Academic Credentials

Attested copy of Experience Certificates with contact details of Employer

Affidavit (Specimen Given in TORs)

For Private Schools

1

Attested copy of CNIC of applicant (Mandatory)

Detailed CV

Attested copy of CNIC

Attested copy of Domicile

Attested copy of Academic Credentials

Attested copy of Experience Certificates with contact details of Employer

Attested copy of School Registration & BISE affiliation (in case of secondary school)

Affidavit (Specimen Given in TORs)

For Private Individuals

1

Attested copy of CNIC of applicant (Mandatory)

Detailed CV

Attested copy of CNIC

Attested copy of Domicile

Attested copy of Academic Credentials

Attested copy of Experience Certificates with contact details of Employer

Affidavit (Specimen Given in TORs)

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APPENDIX B
SPECIMENS FOR AFFIDAVIT

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Page 23 of 25

Page 24 of 25

APPENDIX C

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