LAHORE: Punjab is counted among those provinces of the country that have the highest literacy rate, touching 98 percent in some cities. To up the game and raise literacy rate ranking in the province by providing quality education and A class facilities for students, seasoned educationalist Farezeh Durrani has brought forth a pioneering school system by the name of Alpha, with the aim of setting standards for learning and development of a child. “It’s very important to instil the art of understanding in a child, rather than making them memorise something. So with Alpha, our main aim is to nurture, encourage and help the student grasp the concept behind the subject,” Farezeh Durrani said, while talking exclusively to Daily Times. Alpha, which will be based in Lahore as a start, will have a humble inception, with a moderate-size building, in Gulberg. Its mission is to impart “learning and curriculum as a process and not a product”. This month, both its pre-primary and primary programme will be launched. “Project Alpha has not been completed as yet. There is still lots to be done in terms of the infrastructure and final recruitments, but we are almost ready and super excited,” Durrani said. The principal of Alpha is British educationalist Alastair Hutt. His most recent international experiences have been in Egypt where he launched a brand new school in Cairo and also re-branded and reinvigorated a young school that was initiated with Foundation Stage students. Alastair Hutt comes across as a thorough gentleman who is in full command of his education expertise, having spent years in this field. He is a hands-on professional in the education sphere and together with the brains behind Alpha, aims to direct the school towards inevitable success. “I’ve been a teacher and a headmaster in England as well as in Cairo. I’ve noticed how children are not complacent in their approach as is usually believed. They’re very eager to learn and acknowledge verbally as well as in written, as to what is taught to them. I’m excited to get the ball rolling and put our ethos and ideas into place and practicality, once Alpha officially opens its doors,” Hutt said, also while talking exclusively to Daily Times. The school’s Pre-Foundation, Foundation Year 1 and Foundation Year 2 are based on the principles of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), a statutory framework implemented in the UK that sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from 2 to five years of age. “Alpha’s going to be very child-centric. We have plans of officially launching it during the second half of August, preferably the 20th. As of now, refurbishments are taking place and the entire premises of it looks beautiful. We’ve had some incredible feedback from the parents who wish to have their children enrolled with most of them tell me they had been waiting for a school like Alpha for their kids for the longest time,” Hutt added. In addition, Alpha follows the Cambridge Primary programme which is typically for learners aged 5 to 11 years. This programme is carefully designed to give students a solid foundation, enabling them to achieve high levels of academic and personal attainment. The EYFS programme and Cambridge Primary programme, both, are an excellent preparation for Cambridge Secondary, and for progression to other educational systems such as the International Baccalaureate and American High School Diploma.