Dr. Zeba Rasmussen Vice Chairperson and CEO Mehnaz Fatima Educational and Welfare Organization: A Case Study in Education for Young and Special Children Dr. Zeba Rasmussen Vice Chairperson and CEO My Name is Karen Oliver, I’m a member of the Board of Directors and am the Treasurer

Introduction Mehnaz Fatima Educational and Welfare Organization established in 1998 (registered in 1999 under Voluntary Social Welfare Agency ordinance of 1961) Mehnaz Fatima Montessori - 1998 Mehnaz Fatima Special Education Centre – 2004 Community Based Program for Children with Disabilities - 2006

Objectives in 1998 To provide early childhood learning facilities in the Northern Areas To provide Montessori education To provide opportunities for teachers’ training on Montessori and early childhood development To facilitate education for mentally or physically handicapped children To establish a community centre for women

Enrolment in Montessori Year Number of Students Initially # of New Students Total Students Leaving School 1998 9 21 30 13 1999 17 43 60 33 2000 27 45 72 41 2001 31 74 2002 29 56 85 26 2003 39 108 147 20 2004 102 105 207 65 2005 127 82 209 54 2006 143 208

Training for Montessori Pakistan Montessori Association AMI, Karachi diploma course (1 year): 6 Montessori Training Centre, Karachi (4 months): 4 ECED – IED Certificate, AKU: 3 (+ 2) HDP – AKU: 2 International School of Islamabad: 3 (+ 3) PMA workshops (2), VSO training

Training for Special Education Amin Maktab Centre for Mentally Handicapped Children, Lahore - 2 (1 year) Speech Therapy-National Institute for Handicapped, Islamabad - 1 (15 months) Physiotherapy, Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi - 1 (4 year) Al Makdoom Centre for Visually Impaired, Islamabad - 2 (3 weeks)

Achievements Montessori is financially self-sufficient with affordable fees Training requires donations Special Education Centre – a charitable program with land and a small building Dream: Build one inclusive school

Community Based Programme for Children with Disabilities Partnership with Gilgit Blind Training School Train volunteers from local organizations to identify and provide basic instruction to children 0-12 years through play All materials to be made locally Empower families and local communities to be able to care for/assist children

Strategic Planning: Core Values Education is the right of every child, including those with special needs Early childhood education enhances the potential of each child Each child is an individual learner Education is a creative process Education requires a conducive environment The family is critical in educating a child

Core Values continued Special needs students should be mainstreamed as much as possible All people have equal worth and should have equal rights and opportunities Modeling best educational practices and professionalism benefits the community Holistic education allows students to develop their potential Partnerships are necessary to achieve our objectives Caring and respect are keys to success

MFEWO Mission Statement May 2006 The mission of MFEWO is to provide quality education for young children and children with special needs by focusing on the development, optimal learning facilities, and community awareness in the Northern Areas of Pakistan

Stategic Objectives All students will achieve success by meeting or exceeding the achievement standards All students will develop and demonstrate a life-long, enthusiastic desire to learn All students will develop and demonstrate social responsibility, tolerance, respect and understanding for others, as modeled in their educational environment

Strategies Comprehensive curriculum Professional Development Facilities/environment development Policy development Marketing Effective communication with all stakeholders

Questions?