Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz inaugurates early childhood education centre

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday launched the enrolment campaign at Nawaz Sharif Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Education.  

As announced earlier, the son of Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat is among the firsts to be enrolled at the institution, which is first of its kind in the government sector in Pakistan.

The chief minister tolled the bell to mark the start, as her government continues bringing reforms and introduce innovations in education, health and other sectors.

She also unveiled the new uniform for the institutions.

Maryam visited different sections of the institute and met with the children as well as their parents, while also having photographs with them.

The parents praised the chief minister for setting up Nawaz Sharif Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Education, where the children would be able to get free education.

The chief minister also visited every classroom, Art and Drawing Centre, gym and swimming pool.

As Maryam gave away gifts to every students, a little girl asked her for two, saying one for me and one for my brother.

Meanwhile, the chief minister directed the trainers at swimming pool to especially ensure the safety of children.    

According to UNESCO, “Early childhood care and education (ECCE), covering the period from birth to 8 years old, is crucial because it leverages a time of significant brain development in children. Quality ECCE can set the foundation for good health, nutrition, learning success, social-emotional development, and economic productivity throughout life.”

However, it notes that ECCE often receives low priority in education policies and investment and may exclude marginalised groups.

“Much of ECCE is privately provided, adding to its vulnerability”, it notes.

These observations particularly endorsed in the case of Pakistan, where the government has been ignoring the subject since the very beginning.