Case
PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION NETWORK (PEN)
INDUSTRY :-
AREA :HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
ORGANIZATION :-
LENGTH :38
LUMS No :05-743-2011-1
PUBLICATION YEAR : 2011
ABSTRACT:
This case documents the background and organizational model of three NGOs; PEN, CARE and TCF, which are providing primary and secondary education to the underprivileged segment in Pakistan. PEN was established in 2005 by a group of seven friends, who initiated PEN with the objective of improving basic education in Pakistan. The founding members had planned to adopt government schools (mainly in the city of Lahore) and initiate policies and systems to improve the overall standard of education. PEN had filed a request with the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) requesting the adoption of 23 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 the government schools, or consider other options such as building their own schools. The founding members were considering the organizational models of two well-known NGOs in Pakistan; TCF and CARE. The two models were completely distinct in terms of their organizational philosophy, structure, functioning and scale of social impact. Yet each had a success story with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. It was now important to finalize the strategic decision based on the assessment of (i) the distinct characteristics of CARE and TCF model and their scale of social impact, and long term sustainability, and (ii) PEN’s mission, vision, organizational, human resource and financial capabilities.