About Us
Led By Legacy
Our Mission
“The Habib Schools are committed to excellence and empowering students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful, responsible, and well-rounded citizens who continually aspire to make positive contributions to society.”
The HGS Edge
HGS has always been dedicated to providing its students with the best.
See what sets our school and students apart
Exceptional Academics
At HGS, we are proud to say that our students produce among the best results in the entire country. It is with great honour that we announce that about 80% of our students at SSC and HSSC level secure an A or A1 grade each year. In addition to this, our scholars regularly win subject, group, and overall national distinctions.
Purpose Built School
Habib Girls’ School has exceptional on-campus facilities that help us to fulfil the requirements of our curriculum as holistically as possible. The school is laid out over more than 3 acres of land in the heart of Karachi. We are equipped with spacious and airy classrooms and learning spaces, along with 3 Libraries, Science Labs, playgrounds and covered grounds.
Rigorous & Holistic Curriculum
At HGS, we take great pride in offering our students a holistic school curriculum that not only places a strong focus on the child’s academic development but also on their social, psychological, and spiritual growth. Our curriculum aims to bring out the best in each child’s natural abilities, it encourages students to think for themselves, critically analyse the world around them
Development of Faculty
The faculty regularly undergoes a system of constant evaluation and development, just like our students. We continuously give our staff opportunities to build their teaching capacities and to improve their pedagogical knowledge. The HGS Department of Pedagogy, Curriculum, and Assessment oversees the provision of these teacher training opportunities.
Transformational Leadership
A climate of mutual trust and confidence between teachers and students can do wonders in terms of student performance. The HGS school culture places a heavy emphasis on continually creating an environment of growth and care, and this alone is the great secret to our success! The faculty and staff have been trained to be supportive, encouraging, and compassionate towards students’ needs.
Our Vision
We are committed to transforming today’s learners into tomorrow’s leaders. At HGS, we nurture a learning environment that cares for, respects and values diversity of thought, while always raising the collective confidence and esteem. HGS is the shining link that unites students’ home, school and community in one place.
Our Facilities
Explore the school campus and the many amenities it offers.
Spacious and ICT enriched classrooms
At HGS, we know that a comfortable environment keeps both students and teachers at ease and improves their ability to learn. It is for this reason that we always make it a point to invest in our facilities. Our spacious classrooms are bright and airy and have lots of extra space for classroom activities. In addition, all our classrooms have IT-facilities to make for modern and interactive learning experiences.
Libraries
The library space can arguably be called the backbone of any good educational institution. At HGS, our qualified librarians work diligently to keep the library well stocked for our students and are happy to help you search for research material for school assignments. A special feature of the HGS library is its unique “Makerspace” area. The Makerspace was specifically designed to be a convenient place for students to collaborate on their projects and assignments. Here students also have access to building and modeling material and all sorts of interesting equipment for exploring and creating. The library includes journal publications, magazines and newspapers, books on science, Novels and more.
Science labs
The Science Labs are crucial spaces designed to build students’ practical knowledge in the sciences. At HGS, we have designated laboratories for each of the sciences. The laboratories have been specifically designed in line with the Aga Khan University Examination Board’s standards and specifications. The large worktops have space for every student to work independently or as a group.
Food lab
Students in the secondary section who take Food and Nutrition classes have access to the food lab. The lab is well equipped with stoves, gas ovens, refrigerators, cutlery, utensils, and crockery to give our students a holistic education around the safe handling and preparation of food and prepares them for their Food and Nutrition practical exams.
Computer labs
Computer labs at HGS have been designed to accommodate only one class at any given time. The computer lab is an essential space at HGS. Besides being a space of learning in students’ ICT classes, students also use the room for a variety of extracurricular activities. It is in the computer lab that students will learn how to:
Manipulate the intricacies of MS Office, develop websites, create animations, and even blog!
Playgrounds
It is a proven fact that sports and academics go hand in hand. At HGS, we believe that physical education is an essential part of any child’s education as it instills in them a unique confidence in their skills as well as a resilience and competitive spirit that simply cannot be developed anywhere else. Some of the sports that are most popular with our students include throwball, netball, volleyball, and table tennis to name a few. It is for this reason that the playgrounds are almost always in use at HGS.
Art rooms
Indulging in art, or any other form of creative expression, has been shown to have a relaxing and soothing effect on the mind. Our students have the option of choosing their preferred seating in our creatively set up art rooms. Here the students have every opportunity to explore and develop their artistic talents.
Auditorium
The auditorium at HGS is where students gather for seminars and assemblies. It is also where we put on our wonderful school plays and dramas! It is equipped with a raised stage as well as an integrated music system and visual aids and can comfortably seat a huge audience
Daycare for staff wards
At Habib Girls’ School, we empathise with our staff and acknowledge the need for work-life balance. For our female faculty in particular, we recognise the difficulties of finding reliable childcare while simultaneously pursuing one’s career. It is for this reason that we have provided our staff with an on-campus daycare facility, where dedicated trained staff will look after your child during working hours.
Healthcare
Professional nurses and general physicians are available on call at HGS to look after the healthcare needs of our vast student body. The school doctors are responsible for carrying out annual health check ups of every child and guide them on preventive healthcare practices. Our health professionals also launch awareness campaigns on personal health and hygiene, to maintain the health and safety of all. .
Canteen
The school canteen is an essential part of life at HGS. We are a full day school which is why we provide students and faculty alike with a daily variety of fresh and nutritious foods. Indeed, students’ health and wellness is our number one priority!
Principal’s Welcome Message
Farzana Jamal is an experienced educator with almost two decades of association with Habib Girls’ School. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from University of Karachi. The focus of her personal and professional development have been Curriculum Development, School Evaluation and Organizational Learning.
Since 1964, the school has been serving the cause of education with its qualified faculty and staff, a wide variety of co-curricular options and a custom built campus facilitating holistic development at all levels, preparing students for success in further studies, their careers and in life
– Excerpt from the principal’s letter
Leadership Team
Habib Girls’ school is led by Incredibly experienced teachers that help shape the next generation
Faculty and Careers
At Habib Girls’ School, we place great value on collaborating with our teachers on various teaching policies and practices. Our goal is to recruit and retain some of the finest teachers in Karachi.
Habibian Traditions
In the last 50 years Habib Girls’ School has created a unique identity and long standing traditions that are still honoured today. We have created a community of students and alumni that show their pride and love for their school through their excitement during house competition and by their participation in the school’s band.
Our History
“So much to be done and so little time.” – Yusuf Qasim Mitha
Habib Girls’ School became a reality on August 19, 1964 with a modest student body of eighty girls and eight teachers. The dream was to set up an institution that provided affordable quality education to the female population of a new nation. Almost fifty years later, the student body has swelled to over seventeen hundred girls. This has only been possible due to the tireless efforts of our founding trustees Mr. Hamid D. Habib, Mr. Rashid D. Habib and Mr. Yusuf Qasim Mitha and our first Principal, Ms. Zubaida Dossal. It is said that the credibility attached to the Habib family name and the reputation of the visionary educationist, Mrs. Dossal, made a winning combination which from day one put Habib Girls’ School on the map as an institution of excellence.
Our second Principal, Ms. Adiba Kamal was the very first teacher appointed at Habib Girls’ School and under her leadership; the school saw new heights in both academics and co-curricular activities. Ms. Batool, daughter of Mr. Kazim Husein was the first student to be registered in the school. Our first batch of students appeared for their board examinations in 1970 which also marked the election of our first Head Girl, Ms. Zubeida Murad.
August 19, 1964
Habib Girls’ School became a reality on this day, with a modest student body of 80 girls and 8 teachers. At first, the school only went from Nursery to Class V. The first principal of the school was Mrs. Zubeida Dossal.
1965
The Nursery section was fully developed in 1965. It was a circular building with no pillars or support in the center, designed on a western concept for kindergarteners. In addition, the school’s first full-time sports teacher was appointed this year; sports and academics at HGS go hand in hand.
1966
HGS wins the athletics trophy at the Junior Interschool Sports Competition. In later years, HGS would go on to win the throwball and netball trophies as well.
1969
The primary school building was officially completed this year, decorated with an emblem of the school on its outer wall. Also in 1969, nineteen students from the first batch of the General Group appeared in the SSC Part II Board Examinations.
1972
As per government regulations, Sindhi was introduced as a subject at both the primary and secondary sections. Also in 1972, the first batch of the Science Group appeared in the SSC Part II Board Examinations.
1972-73
Vocational training was introduced: a large resource room was appointed for girls to learn subjects like cooking, baking, cutting, sewing, and block and screen printing.
1974
The school organised its first mela, and it was a time of great fun for all!
1979
By 1979, the School had achieved a commendable academic record. Almost 80% of its matriculating student body had been placed in the first division, while the remaining 20% were placed in the second division.
1970-79
During this decade, HPS girls thrived in the field of sports, bringing in trophies for netball and throwball. Habibian, Taha Turab, was selected from Pakistan to compete in the RCD games held in Tehran. She was declared the best sprinter in the tournament.
1981-83
In 1981, the construction of the first and second floors of the secondary section building was started. This was finally completed by 1983, sped up by fundraising efforts during the school melas.
1985
The secondary block was extended in 1985 once the second part of the land was leased to the school. The ‘L’ shaped primary and secondary buildings were designed to face each other with a large playground in the middle.
1987
After twenty-three years of dedicated service, Mrs. Zubeida Dossal retired. During all of her years as principal, the school had maintained a record of 100 percent results. Ms. Adiba Kamal was appointed as principal in her place.
1989
The new nursery school block was constructed in 1989. A school volleyball coach was appointed and the girls began their volleyball training.
1994
A multipurpose shed was built on the grounds behind the secondary block. At the same time, the canteen was moved from the front to the back, adjacent to the extension of the secondary block.
2005
Due to ill health, Ms. Adiba Kamal retired after serving the school for forty years. Ms. Nargis Alavi was appointed in her place. In 2005 HGS also participated in the Youth Exchange and Study programme (YES) for the first time. Under this programme, students spend a full academic year studying abroad in the US. Furthermore the secondary block was also reconstructed and refurbished. A third floor was added to the secondary building to accommodate Higher Secondary classes. And finally, the School also joined the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) in 2005.
2010
The Higher Secondary Section started functioning in 2010 with two disciplines, i.e. Science and Commerce. Later, Humanities was also introduced.
2014
The school celebrated its 50th Birthday on 19th August, 2014. Golden Jubilee Celebrations were hosted throughout the year: the Women of Excellence Awards, the Education Seminar, the “Mera Pakistan” Mela, the exciting launch of a movie by a Habibian alumnus, and a fantastic Sports Gala. In addition to all of these festivities, the Dawood Habib Block was also built in 2014, adjacent to the Principal’s office building.
2018
After serving the school for 30 years, Ms. Nargis Alavi retired in 2018. Ms. Durriya Ameer Ali was appointed as principal in her place.
2020
After serving the school for 21 years, Ms. Durriya Ameer Ali retired, and Ms. Farzana Jamal took over as principal in her stead in July.
Explore More
To learn more about us, check out these pages.