More than 9,000 children, including those from 10 schools for children with special needs, attended the seventh Children Learning Festival (CLF) here at the Government Muslim High School. According to the organisers of the festival, the CLF has been the largest learning festival in Pakistan since 2011. The CLF began with the National Anthem in Pakistan sign language by the students of special Education institute in Multan, followed by a theatre on girls education by Sojhla and Girl students from the schools of Multan being supported for post-primary and secondary education to become leaders of tomorrow. The festival offered a variety of activities. Dr Taimur Rahman, a professor, political activist and musician, mobilized the participants interactively for social messages and poetry. There were many ‘firsts’ for the children in terms of learning. They heard and sang the CLF Anthem written by Zehra Nigah and composed by Rakae Jamil, Hamain Kitab Chahiye. The festival offered STEM workshops by resource persons and young women leaders. Children walked into the mobile Alif Laila Book Bus Library to read and feel books; they made clay money and heard the stories of numeracy by the State Bank of Pakistan Museum team. They made their own digital stories and learnt Internet Safety by ITA teams. Children made their own books in the Art of Book Making sessions by OUP team and Parho aur Rang Bharo on reading for creativity by ITA art and storytellers teams. They acted in theatre led by Atif Badar and Sojhla Organization. They learned the art of critical thinking with Peter Jacob on Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Educating the Imagination team. They learnt how to make paper horses/crafts and early years stimulation by Tarey Zameen Par and Govt’s QAED’s teams. They went to many interactive stalls on pottery as living heritage from Multan and Harappa. This is the essence of the CLF – experiencing learning first hand from books and all multiple intelligences, said the organisers. Published in Daily Times, November 14th 2018.