Cost of education: Rs55,000 is the admission fee of The Clover School and the monthly fee is Rs12,000. PHOTO: FILE
A cute little library with a banner, ‘Books are our friends’, welcomes visitors to The Clover School, a new academic institution that is ready to set new standards for kindergarten institutes.
At the open day of the newly-established school located behind The City School Darakshan Campus, Phase VI, on Friday, the principal and project director, Shirin Husain, made it clear that she did not want her students to be mere spectators or be given dictation.
“The school offers the ‘HighScope’ curriculum that would work on cognitive development of children and promote social interaction.”
Currently, the school is open for admissions for playgroup and pre-nursery, but it will be enrolling nursery students in August. With a level to be added each year to the school, it plans to expand to O’ levels.
Husain, who started her teaching career from Foundation Public School in 1989, showed around the vibrant classrooms, packed with books, learning toys and material. “You see, the classrooms don’t have chairs or tables. There is no concept of worksheet and pencils here.”
The pre-nursery classroom is divided into specifically designed areas including a kitchen, a music area, a reading section and a house area, where children will be able to indulge in activities of their interest. Husain explained that the classrooms were kept carpet-free to avoid allergies in students.
A parent, Iftikhar, who was accompanied by two of his children, thought it was a child-friendly school. “It looks good. The classrooms are colorful and bright.”
Another parent, Mrs Faisal, whose boys were reading books, said the concept of learning at an early age, such as that being introduced in the school, was a good way to groom students. She added, however, that it was sad that these days, good quality education was coming at a high expense. Such opportunities should be available to people belonging from every class, and not just one, she added. The Clover School is charging Rs55,000 as admission fee and Rs12,000 every month for each of its students.
The American HighScope curriculum, to be taught at the school, aims to promote team-work, along with decision-making in students, explained Husain. Teachers will be taking down daily notes of a child’s progress while parents and mothers will be welcome to get involved in classrooms with their children, “We believe in family support in schools and a trusting relationship,” says Husain.
The school also boasts an indoor gymnasium with soft play material to enhance physical development. Meanwhile, a sand and water area has been constructed outside where turtles, rabbits, birds are kept in clean cages.
Teachers from other schools, who had come to the open day, were full of praise for the facility. Iram Khan, principal of the junior section at a private school, loved the idea of the outdoor area. “It is a great learning place. I loved the creativity in the school.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2013.
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