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    Nazneen Murtaza: The Road to Self Discovery

    Written by: Arshmah Jamil
    Posted on: August 05, 2014 | | 中文

    Nazneen Murtaza with U.S. Ambassador at inauguration of the English Language Lab

    Pakistan has the world’s largest number of children (25 million) out of school. The education system is composed of 180,846 public institutions (25.97 million students) and 80,057 private institutions (14.85 million students), more than 22,000 registered madrassas (1.5 million students) and nearly 8000 non-functional ghost schools. Current GDP spending on education is less than 2.0% which is the lowest in South Asia.  It can be observed from these alarming statistics that there is a dire need to revamp the education system. Headstart, a leading private school has made significant efforts in this regard with over thirteen campuses across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, providing a personalized teaching environment.

    Plato once said, “Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be able to discover the peculiar bent of genius in each”. Nazneen Murtaza, Founder and CEO of Headstart School, adheres to this philosophy, as she has embarked on a mission to improve critical thinking in students. Her journey is an example of how any goal in life is attainable through hard work, determination and persistence. Having a strong passion for the field of education, Nazneen chose it right after college and is a trained Montessori directress. After marriage, she moved to Islamabad where she worked at a convent school.  She admired the dedication of the Irish nuns she worked with but felt that the regimented form of education limited the imagination of children as “Montessori was about self discovery, new equipment and Eureka moments”. Soon after, she moved abroad and it was there that she discovered a new world where children were given a prime position in the society and the experience was beautiful, easy and nurturing for them. Through volunteer teaching, she learnt fresh techniques of education.

    Nazneen Murtaza: The Road to Self Discovery

    Kuri Campus

    Upon her return to Pakistan, she started working again, this time teaching Grade 1. “I did a great job there”, she smiles. “I remember the head told me to prepare a three hour Math exam but I assured her my students could finish in 15 minutes by using the mental math techniques I had taught them.”  However, her overall experience left her disappointed in the system and she wanted a change. The concept of Headstart was conceived. 

    In 1991, with a small place in the garage in F-6/3 and with hope in her heart, Nazneen laid the foundations of a school which is now a leading institute of excellence. “I didn’t know how to market the venture; just a couple of posters in Radio city and Essa Jee were placed very shyly and it was mostly word of mouth.” She explains that initially, only two children were enrolled and in a week’s time a few more. These numbers increased and in a few months the place could not accommodate the growing number of children; they had to move to F-8 and then to F-6/2.  For her, there has been no looking back since.

    Nazneen Murtaza: The Road to Self Discovery

    Students participating at a public debate forum

    Nazneen Murtaza: The Road to Self Discovery

    Students in a Rock Climbing activity in Islamabad

    Nazneen feels that it was the unique system of education provided at Headstart that contributed to its success.  It is a place where students are allowed to grow, make mistakes and learn from them. Nazneen believes that not every child will become a doctor or engineer as they all possess a distinguishing talent. The students can discover their niche, whether arts or sciences, and excel in it with the assistance of teachers. She fondly remembers encouraging her student Mobeen Ansari (Mobeen Ansari and the Heartbeat of a Nation) who was passionate about taking pictures and is now a well-known photographer.  Headstart focuses great attention on reserved and vulnerable students as each child is talented in their own way. The best outcome, she believes, is when parents and teachers are completely involved in a child’s progress. She encourages student involvement in community service and she has been actively involved in various humanitarian causes, including the SOS village (S.O.S. Village: Saving Souls). Her school policy advocates firm observance of courtesy and follows a strict Honor code.

    The predicament of drug usage amongst students has increased at an alarming rate, and her policy on this is very stringent: any such activity results in expulsion. Another challenge is the increasing trend of dependence on tuition centres. Nazneen’s aim is to satisfy the students so that they do not have to avail the services of tuition centers, emphasizing that their goal should be based on “striving to learn, not just passing an exam”.

    Her advice for women to achieve success in any field is that it’s not an easy path, but with high levels of dedication and professionalism, it is possible to achieve any goal.  Her aim has always been to provide a system where students can think freely, as she believes, “There is a lot to learn and when people become independent, they become beautiful and give back to the society”.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021