Progressive Education Network (PEN) — Creating Social Impact in Pakistan

In March 2009, the Directors of PEN, a not-for profit organization, met to finalize an important decision. The founding members had filed a request with City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) requesting adoption of twenty-three government schools. After a year of negotiation with the government, the adoption contract was still pending which resulted in agitation and disappointment amongst the PEN members. They were now standing at a threshold re-considering their decision; either wait for the government’s approval regarding allotment of government schools or consider other options such as building own schools. The founding members were considering the organizational models of CARE and TCF; two well-known NGOs of Pakistan. It was now important to finalize the strategic decision based on the assessment of the two organizational models given PEN’s mission, vision, organizational, human resource and financial capabilities.