Montessori education planned in more schools in capital

Islamabad

The federal government has planned to begin Montessori education in 70 educational institutions of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) soon under the Prime Minister’s Education Reforms Programme overseen by the prime minister's daughter, Maryam Nawaz.

According to parliamentary secretary for the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Maiza Hameed, the initiative will be taken with the cooperation and support of the private sector and NGOs.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had launched Montessori classes in ICT government schools early last year.

Previously, only privately-owned schools offered Montessori education in the city but

as those of good repute charge exorbitant fee, the people from low income groups either didn’t give their children the formal preschool education or enrol them for the purpose in low-quality schools.

Under the initiative, the first in the country’s history, besides free pre-school education, the Montessori students are given uniform and lunch including light food and milk.

The CADD parliamentary secretary said under the PM Education Reforms Programme, Montessori sections had been set up in 66 schools with 1,460 children enrolled there.

She said the initiative would be replicated in 70 more schools soon and that the day was not far away when all government schools in the city would be offer Montessori free of charge.

Maiza Hameed praised Maryam Nawaz for making the programme a success through untiring efforts.

She also appreciated the communities for supporting the programme in the form of furniture and other goods of formal learning.

The CADD parliamentary secretary said teachers would be hired for new Montessori classes and that the Prime Minister’s Internship Programme could be used for the purpose.