The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), with support from the Global Affairs Canada-funded F4HE project, has completed comprehensive training for 241 education and health professionals to enhance early childhood development (ECD) in Baltistan. This initiative aims to improve the quality and integration of health and education services for young children in the region.
The training was delivered through the Early Childhood Development Module-IV Cascading Session and involved participants from multiple sectors. Of those trained, 94 were officials from the Government Education Department, 78 represented the Government Health Department, and 69 were community school ECD teachers. ECD lead facilitators delivered the sessions, ensuring coordination across sectors.
At the closing ceremony held in Skardu, Mr Abdul Wahab Meer, Director of Education Baltistan Division, commended the AKRSP for introducing this groundbreaking effort in Baltistan. Mr Muhammad Meer, President of the Private Education Network, also addressed attendees and stressed the importance of integrating health services within the education sector. The event brought together senior officials, facilitators, teachers, and community representatives to celebrate the project’s achievements.
As part of this initiative, AKRSP has established six ECD hubs across Baltistan. Each hub is connected to fifteen local spoke schools selected by the Government Education Department to benefit from ongoing support and training. The cascading training model, supported by technical expertise from Aga Khan University, empowered 18 lead facilitators drawn from the education and health sectors, as well as communities, to extend training across all four districts in the region.
Additionally, 80 traditional classrooms in spoke schools have been redesigned as dedicated ECD spaces, providing children with enhanced learning environments. Teachers and health workers in these settings have now completed all four modules of ECD training, marking a significant step towards improving early childhood care and education in Baltistan.
