On October 4, 2024, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif laid the foundation for Pakistan’s first autism school in Lahore. This school is designed to provide specialized education and support for children with autism. The project is expected to be completed within a year, following the chief minister’s direction. The school will cater to children with special needs and aims to meet international standards of care and education.
Details | Information |
Project Launched By | Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz |
Location | Lahore, Punjab |
Completion Timeline | 1 Year |
Special Features | Therapy rooms, Computer lab, Speech therapy rooms |
Contents
School Facilities and Structure
The school will be built with a ground and first floor, featuring 11 classrooms for junior students and 10 for senior students. The ground floor will have specialized areas like 10 cubicle speech therapy rooms, a therapy room, and a pre-vocational training room. There will also be rooms for teaching daily living skills and a computer lab to provide practical education.
On the first floor, there will be three classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, a committee room, a library, and a resource room. This floor is designed to allow future expansion by adding two more floors, ensuring that the school can grow with the needs of the community.
Importance of Autism Experts
During the event, Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of hiring autism specialists to guide the project. She instructed that the development of the school be carried out in consultation with these experts to ensure it meets the specific needs of autistic children. The goal is to create a learning environment that provides both education and therapeutic support, tailored to the needs of children with autism.
Specialized Support for Autistic Children
The school will offer various specialized services for children with autism, such as therapy rooms and speech therapy cubicles. These facilities are designed to support the children’s educational development and personal growth. The focus on therapy, alongside traditional education, aims to help children develop essential life skills, preparing them for a more independent future.
Key Features of the School:
- 21 classrooms for junior and senior sections
- Specialized therapy rooms for speech and development
- Computer lab and pre-vocational training room
- Designed for future expansion
Future Expansion Plans
The school is designed with the potential for further expansion. The building’s structure allows for the addition of two more floors in the future, which will increase the capacity to accommodate more students and provide additional facilities. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the school will continue to meet the growing needs of children with autism in Pakistan.
Conclusion
The establishment of Pakistan’s first autism school in Lahore is a major step toward improving educational and therapeutic support for children with autism. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, this initiative is set to provide a compassionate and inclusive environment where children with autism can learn and grow. The school will not only address the current needs of autistic children but also ensure room for future development.
Also Read: Punjab Government Launches ‘Apni Chat Apna Ghar’ Scheme in Lahore
FAQs
When will the autism school be completed?
The school is expected to be completed within one year, by the end of 2025.
What specialized facilities will the school offer?
The school will offer speech therapy rooms, therapy rooms, a pre-vocational training room, and a computer lab.
Will the school expand in the future?
Yes, the structure is designed to allow the addition of two more floors for future expansion.