1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. Questions?