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Unschooling the Norms with Adeel Azhar

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In this honest and thought-provoking interview, we learn that there is a quiet shake-up happening in Pakistan’s education space. And it’s being led by a broadcaster, content creator and educator who is not afraid to challenge the norm. With a passion for meaningful learning, he is rethinking how and why we educate. From homeschooling his own child to launching EduPro, he has built an alternative model that blends flexibility, real-life skills, and curiosity.

Synergyzer: Broadcaster, executive, educator, but who is Adeel? And what inspired you to reimagine education and launch EduPro?

Adeel Azhar: At my core, I am a curious learner who believes in connecting deeply with people. Whether through a radio microphone, a corporate training room, or a classroom.

My passion for reimagining education was ignited at home. My wife and I decided to homeschool our son after grade 6. He was struggling to adjust to mainstream schooling due to mild autism. This journey taught us the power of giving children the freedom to learn at their own pace and to nurture their natural curiosity.

Rooted in the belief of living freely within faith. Our family’s parenting journey led to EduPro, a school that empowers children as independent thinkers and encourages families to take active ownership of their learning.

Synergyzer: How do you plan to keep EduPro accessible to students from all backgrounds, especially those from lower-income families with limited access to technology and the internet?

Adeel Azhar: Accessibility is at the heart of EduPro’s mission. We continuously work to make our model affordable and flexible, offering scholarships and subsidised plans wherever possible. We design our content to be low-bandwidth. So that it can be accessed even on basic internet connections and mobile devices. Additionally, we partner with local community centres and NGOs to provide shared learning spaces equipped with internet and devices for students who need them.

As we move forward, our focus on integrating AI into the curriculum will help us personalise learning even further. So that each child can progress regardless of their starting point or circumstances. Our ultimate goal is to democratise quality education and ensure that no child is left behind simply because of financial or technological barriers.

Synergyzer: Do you see EduPro as a complement to traditional schooling or a potential replacement for it?

Adeel Azhar: I see EduPro as both a complement and an alternative, depending on each family’s needs. For some, EduPro can act as a powerful supplement, filling gaps that traditional schooling often leaves. For others, like my own family, it can be a complete replacement, allowing children to learn in a more personalised and pressure-free environment. Many people fear online schooling harms social skills, but we urge parents to use the time and money saved on meaningful activities like sports and social clubs, which would build confidence and teamwork.

Synergyzer: You cover a wide mix of topics across YouTube and social media. What really drives you to create content?

Adeel Azhar: My content creation is driven by a deep desire to add value to people’s lives. Whether I am discussing personal finance, leadership, parenting, or education, I want to inspire people to reflect and take meaningful action.

Looking ahead, I see my content evolving to include more community-driven discussions, real-life stories, and collaborations with young learners and educators. As we integrate AI more deeply at EduPro, I also plan to create content that demystifies AI and empowers parents and educators to leverage it for better learning outcomes. Ultimately, I hope to build not just an audience, but a thriving learning community that values social and physical activities as a key part of holistic growth.

Synergyzer: What does being “educated” truly mean to you?

Adeel Azhar: To me, being “educated” means unlocking your potential to live a meaningful, free, and fulfilled life. Practical skills like financial literacy and survival knowledge are important, but true education is much more than that. It cultivates critical thinking, emotional intelligence, empathy, and a deep sense of responsibility to make a positive contribution to society.

My wife and I believe in raising children who live freely, grounded in moral and spiritual values. Education is not just knowledge, it is self-awareness, respect and community uplift. Social skills matter, so we urge parents to go beyond screens and offer real-life experiences that build confidence and character.

Synergyzer: When schools become brands and teachers mere service providers, what does that say about our values and our future?

Adeel Azhar: It reveals a society that has reduced education to a transactional, results-oriented commodity, rather than a transformative process. When the focus is on branding and grades instead of true learning, we create an environment where children chase certificates rather than developing curiosity, creativity, and resilience. Teachers lose their role as mentors and become mere service providers, while students become consumers rather than learners.

In the long term, this erodes the moral and intellectual character of the nation. We risk raising generations that excel in rote learning but lack the ability to think independently, empathise or innovate, qualities essential for a healthy, forward-thinking society.

As parents, we have the power to step back from this cycle, curate more balanced learning experiences, and emphasise both academic growth and social development.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Adeel Azhar (@adeelazhar)

Synergyzer: What message would you like to share, and with whom: students, educators, policymakers, or the community?

Adeel Azhar: My message is simple yet powerful: reclaim ownership of learning and embrace freedom in education. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a policymaker, or a student, remember that learning is a deeply personal journey that should empower rather than confine.

I especially hope parents and educators hear this message, because they hold the power to create safe, inspiring environments where children can learn at their own pace, explore their interests, and grow into confident, ethical individuals. Embrace tools like AI and new ideas, but stay rooted in values and faith. Give children real-world social experiences as the balance builds, a happier, more fulfilled generation

Synergyzer: What are your future plans and aspirations for EduPro?

Adeel Azhar: We believe that AI is not just the future, it is the present, and preparing children to understand and use it responsibly will be a game changer, which is why we are excited to integrate AI into our curriculum. Beyond academics, we are also developing programmes that include life skills, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, and creative pursuits. We are also preparing students for a future where adaptability and tech fluency will be key, something mainstream education often overlooks.

We plan to establish local community learning hubs, blending online and
in-person social learning experiences, including sports and club activities to support social development.

Our dream is to spark a movement that empowers children to learn freely, confidently, and joyfully, in Pakistan and beyond.

Written by
Afifa Maniar

Afifa J. Maniar, the Karachi School of Art's design maestro, transforms words into creative works of art. With 26 years of editorial experience across 8 magazines, she runs the world at Synergyzer Magazine as the Editor. Her creativity genius has graced brands like Zellbury, DAWN Media Group, SMASH, Dalda, and IAL Saatchi & Saatchi. Her words and life choices are transformative, however the latter is questionable.

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