Interview Panel: Shaharyar Khan, Maham Noor And Rabia Basri
The Laboratory Primary School is a project of Institute of Education, Lahore College for Women University. It was established with the collaboration of all administrative units of LCWU under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Uzma Qureshi, Dean Institute of Education (who is also VC now). This school was started on April 14, 2014 with the 28 number of students, two teachers, one helper, headmistress and a security guard.
The Educationist talked to LCWU Laboratory School Chairperson Dr. Saira Taj in an exclusive interview:
The Educationist: How much difficulties management faced while the enrollment time?
Dr. Saira Taj: At the time of enrollment the management had to face many difficulties because of time shortage that’s why our management visited the surroundings of university and got enrolled the students. Majority of students who are the children of LCWU Staff.
The Educationist: Which facilities does the school provide to students?
Dr. Saira Taj: Actually, school is providing numerous facilities to students including free provision of uniforms, shoes, stationary, lunch, filtered water, medical checkup, computer skills and library.
The Educationist: How will you ensure that kids studying here will be able to compete with children studying in normal schools?
Dr. Saira Taj: We train our children at a level that they are capable to compete with other schools’ children. When they will go out from here, their mental level will match with other students and they can give them a tough competition.
The Educationist: What measures are you taking to help kids control their temperament?
Dr. Saira Taj: Actually, we don’t give them any free time. We continuously make them busy in indoor activities so they don’t lose their temper. Art activities give them opportunities to develop creativity and imagination.
The Educationist: How do you attract these underprivileged children towards education. Are their any training guides for the parents?
Dr. Saira Taj: This school is multi-grade school. A systematic record of students’ performance is maintained according to their ages. We arrange parents-teacher meetings after every 15 days and inform parents about the educational status of their children. We also spread awareness among parents about advantages of education and how to treat their children at home.
The Educationist: How did you build a positive culture and climate?
Dr. Saira Taj: We have appointed well-mannered staff and interns for maintaining positive culture. Students learn many things from their teachers regarding how to behave. Co-curricular activities are given special importance for social, emotional, moral, mental and physical development of the students.
The Educationist: At the time of inauguration of this school Dr. Sabiha said that mother language will be taught to students by the language experts. What is the present status?
Dr. Saira Taj: Actually, there is still no teacher for Punjabi language in this school but in near future we will get support of the Punjabi department of LCWU for arranging a teacher. All the departments of university are fully cooperating with us for successfully running the school.