QAED has implemented the project “Introduction of Early Childhood Education” in Primary Schools of Punjab. The project aims to increase enrolment and improve school environment to convert into Child Friendly Schools. QAED developed 15156 ECE classrooms in primary schools in year 2017-18 and 3684 ECE classrooms in year 2018-19 in 36 districts of the Punjab.
As William Wordsworth put, "A child is the father of mankind" so the education of children is of paramount importance because they are the future leaders. Owing to out-dated teaching techniques in the past, our children were afraid of going to schools. Attending school was no less than a nightmare for them. Resultantly, a large number of children couldn't avail the life-changing opportunities offered by education. SED Punjab is credited to launch ECE programme in schools. This project worked wonders and succeeded in enrolling and retaining the children in schools. The incumbent schools were provided with every facility to make the project a roaring success.
Under this scheme, following interventions have been made:
- attractive learning environment with thematically painted walls for joyful learning
- learning resources in accordance with learning competencies based on National Curriculum of ECE, 2007
- Part-time caregivers to facilitate ECE teachers
- training of the concerned ECE school teachers, head teachers, members of the school council and educational managers of the districts to take care of children and to keep ECE rooms in order
- To recognize fundamental importance of socio-emotional, physical and cognitive development of children
- To define ECE for organizations, academicians and practitioners
- To enhance enrolment of students and to provide quality education in government schools
- To provide parents with access to quality ECE services to support them when required
- To empower parents to lead and participate in development of children’s early learning
- Coordination and implementation
- Establishment of ECE classrooms
- Development of teaching and learning materials
- Training
- Monitoring and feedback
- Community engagement
