Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif laid the foundation stone for Pakistan’s first autism school in Lahore on Friday. The school, aimed at providing specialized education and support for children with autism, is expected to be completed within a year under the direction of the chief minister, according to 24NewsHD TV channel.
During the event, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the immediate need for hiring autism experts to guide the project. She also directed that the development of the school be carried out in consultation with these professionals to ensure the facility meets international standards of care and education for autistic children. The first autism school will consist of a ground and first floor, featuring 11 classrooms for the junior section and 10 for the senior section. The ground floor will include 10 cubicle speech session rooms, a therapy room, and a pre-vocational training room. Additionally, there will be daily living activity rooms, a computer lab, and other necessary facilities.
On the first floor, three classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, a committee room, a library, and a resource room will be built. The structure is also designed to accommodate two more floors in the future, providing scope for expansion.
Maryam Nawaz expressed that children with autism deserve compassion and understanding, and this initiative marks a significant step in ensuring they receive the care they need.