Children’s Library Complex: 2,000 enrolled in summer classes

LAHORE:

The Children’s Library Complex (CLC) is offering as many as 57 programmes to over 2,000 children this summer.

The complex is located next to China Chowk on the Chamber of Commerce Road.

“This is a miraculous place for children. It offers them an opportunity to learn,” Sahera Shahid, the CLC project manager, says. “Summers are our busiest period.”

The CLC is offering 36 sessions per course under their Hobbies Development Programme (HDP). Unlike past years, classes will be held six days a week rathen than three days.

Shahid, who joined CLC two months ago, said that the courses had lasted three months last year but a break was needed in Ramazan after attendance fell sharply.

“This year, we have decided that the programme will conclude before Ramazan,” she says. The HDP, which commenced on June 8, is scheduled to conclude on July 20.

The CLC was formed in 1988 and put under the Directorate of Libraries. Later, it was handed over to the School Education Department.

“Existing rules currently do not allow the library to lend books,” Shahid says. “We are working to change that.”

The HDP is running two four hour sessions; from 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm. The CLC charges a Rs200 annual membership fee and a Rs200 refundable security deposit. The charges are Rs600 per course with a concession offered for siblings.

Most of the revenue is used to pay the 25 plus instructors, she says.

Our most popular courses are arts and crafts and spoken English, Shahid said.

Vicky Yousaf, a karate instructor with CLC for eight years, told The Express Tribune that parents were now taking a keen interest in children’s physical well-being.

“The courses offer a great way to encourage children to manage themselves,” Adeel Amin, a gymnastics instructor, said. The CLC has opened its doors to mothers too.

“We realised that mothers hesitate to leave their children here and would often stay back,” Shahid said. “We decided to help them make the most of their time here.”

As many as 10 courses are being offered for women at CLC. These range from yoga and aerobics to Montessori teacher training. “Even fathers have started approaching us with requests of courses for them,” she says.

Kausar Jabeen, the hobbies in-charge, says that each course was developed after research on its impact on child development.

Jabeen has worked with CLC for four years. She says that besides physical and mental development, the courses consider the effect on the participating child’s attitude and behaviour.

“Children are taught to make logical decisions,” she says. “We inculcate critical thinking through our courses.”

“We target children from public sector schools to provide them opportunities not available to them elsewhere,” she says.

Shahid says that CLC hopes to expand its operations but lacks funds, transport and human resource for that.

The CLC has one bus at its disposal to transport children to its premises and run its outreach programme in which CLC team visits areas around Lahore to interact with children.

Shahid says that volunteers are encouraged.

“Currently we have three Kinnaird College girls volunteering for the outreach program,” she says.

“We want the private sector to help us help less privileged children,” she says.

A commitment to social responsibility is needed, she says.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2012.