Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) launched a four-day workshop titled ‘Art of Parenting’ on Monday, designed to equip master trainers with in-depth knowledge of two pivotal child upbringing guides developed by the university: ‘Aghosh’ and ‘Parwarish’. The initiative aims to empower trainers with the tools to foster effective parenting practices and build stronger communities.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Khalid Chauhan, Director General of Research and Development at the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Pakistan, emphasized the significance of these guides in shaping responsible parenting. He urged the master trainers to immerse themselves in the content and share it with their communities to help build the foundation for a more ideal society.
In his remarks, Raja Rashid Ali, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Education, reflected on the growing challenges of raising children in today’s fast-evolving world. Reciting Amjad Islam Amjad’s poignant poem ‘Mere Betay Ne Aankhein Ek Nayi Duniya Mein Kholi Hain’, he underscored the importance of focusing on children’s character development, with both parents and educators playing a pivotal role in shaping their future.
Professor Dr. Fazal Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Education, emphasized the importance of instilling qualities like tolerance and adaptability in children to contribute to the creation of a progressive and harmonious society. He urged the master trainers to view this responsibility as both a mission and a national necessity.
Dr. Irshad Ahmad Arshad, Senior Professor in the Faculty of Sciences, lauded the timely initiative, congratulating the Faculty of Education and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood for their commitment to addressing the vital need for improved parenting education.
Dr. Muhammad Athar Hussain, Chairman of the Early Childhood Education Department, outlined the objectives of the workshop, explaining that master trainers would be equipped with the knowledge of the guides and subsequently train parents and educators within their communities. He emphasized that feedback from the community would be gathered to refine the guides before they are presented to policymakers for broader implementation.
This workshop is a collaborative effort by Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Aga Khan Foundation, Ministry of Human Rights, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, and other key institutions, aiming to ensure the successful implementation of modern parenting practices across Pakistan.
