Pakistan Learning Festival pledges to promote education for all

The amazing Pakistan Learning Festival was held at Government Girls Comprehensive Higher Secondary School in collaboration with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) and the School Education Department, South Punjab. The event marked the launch of Kitab Gari Multan, sponsored by The Bank of Punjab and facilitated by ITA. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr. Agha Zaheer Abbas Sherazi from the School Education Department, South Punjab, and CEO of ITA, Baela Raza Jamil.

The Pakistan Learning Festival, founded by Baela Jamil, is the largest learning festival in Pakistan. It serves as a social movement that promotes equal access to education for all, including schools catering to children with disabilities. The Multan edition of the festival is the 89th event organized by PLF. The festival was graced by the presence of Additional Secretary of the School Education Department, South Punjab, Mr Agha Zaheer Abbas Sherazi, Deputy Secretary SED Mr. Khawaja Mazhar Ul Haq, Chairman of the Multan board, CEO of ITA Baela Raza Jamil, along with other officials. Representatives from The Bank of Punjab, the title sponsor, expressed their commitment to the PLF as a social movement that promotes reading, creativity, and multi-dimensional learning to develop successful and responsible citizens. They expressed gratitude to the renowned resource persons from Pakistan and the region for their support, as well as to the Principal, Ms. Zareen Akhtar, and her team for their collaboration as hosts of PLF Multan.

The festival featured over 20 sessions and witnessed the participation of more than 4,000 children, teachers, and resource persons. It was a thrilling one-day event focused on learning. Additional Secretary Agha Zaheer Sherazi commended the efforts of ITA and expressed continuous support for their initiatives. The festival’s localization in Multan was a critical aspect of its success as a social movement for learning across Pakistan. Collaborations with local excellence were achieved through resource persons from various organizations. These sessions covered topics such as the art of storytelling, the importance of magazines and digital trends in literature, climate change, language learning, science experiments, green initiatives, arts and crafts, digital safety, music performances, creative writing, bookmaking, digital learning, STEM, performing arts, book fairs, mobile learning libraries, and interactive arts and traditional crafts stalls.

The festival also introduced new elements, including combined sessions on maker art and storytelling, as well as learning through harmonies. Learning through Harmonies, supported by Research on Improving Systems of Education (RISE), featured the poem “Barsaat” by Ismail Merathi, selected by renowned poet Zehra Nigah from her childhood collection. The poem was composed and sung by Ali Hamza, accompanied by Rakae Jamil on sitar and Kami Paul on drums. It was aligned with the national curriculum. Each learning space at the festival was given a unique name, adding to the curiosity of attendees.

The PLF took great pride in strengthening language skills, creative writing, imagery, expression, digital safety and learning, STEM, performing arts, painting, music, science, and arts and crafts. These festivals bring joy and inspiration to millions of children and teachers in Pakistan, providing rich learning experiences and ideas for implementation in schools, classrooms, and homes.

Courtesy: Published at Minute Mirror on April 30, 2023