The first meeting of the Board of Directors of Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Centre for Autism was held under the chairpersonship of Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Special Education Sania Ashiq.
The meeting took several landmark decisions aimed at welfare, education and rehabilitation of autistic children in Punjab. In line with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab, the government will establish an Autism Teacher Training and Research Resource Centre at the Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Centre for Autism.
The board also approved provision of free uniforms, free school meals, free therapy, free books, free pick-and-drop facility and free lunch for all enrolled children.
This centre is Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art public institution dedicated to providing international-standard education and therapy services for autistic children completely.
The government will also provide additional facilities including an open gym, sand therapy area, sensory garden and walking track completely free of cost.
The Board decided to immediately initiate admission process and recruitment of staff for the centre. Members of the Board expressed their deep appreciation about visionary leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and extended their gratitude for fulfilling her commitment to establish Maryam Nawaz School for Autism, a pioneering step in the field of special education in Pakistan.
Furthermore, the Board approved its decision to provide modern educational and rehabilitative services under one roof.
In addition to regular morning sessions, evening shifts will offer therapy services on a self-financing basis to accommodate more children and families in need. The meeting was attended by Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education, Secretary Primary & Secondary Healthcare and Secretary Education while Secretary Finance and Secretary Higher Education participated in the meeting via video link.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that autistic children across Punjab receive quality education, therapy and rehabilitation services in accordance with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, making Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Centre for Autism a beacon of hope and progress for countless families across Punjab.