In Pakistan the issue of illiteracy has become a matter of utter urgency. Illiteracy rates remain at approximately 70% in spite of government efforts.
Amongst children of the rural areas the situation is especially alarming due to social and cultural obstacles. Poverty is a key factor, resulting in child labor. These children grow up illiterate and hence are unable to break the chains of poverty, for themselves and for their future generations. They live in squalor conditions and continue to suffer from lack of opportunities.
Developments in Literacy (DIL) is making an important contribution by spreading awareness about the importance of literacy and by providing education to the underprivileged children of Pakistan, especially the girl-child, in hope of breaking this vicious cycle of illiteracy and poverty.

In a short span of 10 years DIL has succeeded in establishing 149 schools in collaboration with various non-profit organizations in the different provinces of Pakistan to create an effective and transparent educational network. Amongst these schools, 5 schools are proudly supported by DIL Canada. 4 of these schools are in the out-reach areas of Orangi, in the province of Sindh and 1 school is in the Ghora Mast area of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

Orangi is the slum on the Northern tip of Karachi next to the industrial area where the literacy rate is extremely low. Before DIL opened schools in Orangi, there were many areas without schools, due to which children of these areas either did not go to school at all or had to walk considerably before reaching the closest school.

Capital: Islamabad
Area: 796,095 kmē
Population: 152 million (December 2000 est.)
Official language(s): Urdu and English
Religion(s): Sunni & Shiite Muslims and Christian
Currency: Pakistani Rupee

Focus on the Female Education: Female students consist of 60% of DIL's student population. This is a great feat since the national literacy rate for women in Pakistan stands at only 38%.

Community-Owned Schools: DIL schools are community-owned and have a village education committee that provides support to teachers and ensures the community's involvement.

US-Based Governance: DIL 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.

Addressing the Needs of Rural Teachers and Students: DIL's Teacher Development Center is working closely with rural teachers to not only improve their teaching skills; but also to utilize their feedback in developing lesson plans and teaching materials that meet the needs of the rural population.

Activity-Based Learning: In this inquiry-based approach, students develop knowledge and understanding through learning activities built upon intellectual inquiry and engagement in meaningful tasks. Lessons are designed to allow students with different learning styles the opportunity to demonstrate their acquired knowledge.

Low Dropout Rate: The average student dropout rate for DIL schools in 2007 was only 2.5%, which is an enormous achievement considering the nationwide dropout rate in Pakistan is 45%.