“The school was founded in 2006. Before that, there was already a social therapy centre for adults with learning needs in Roshni (Roshni means ‘light’ in Urdu). This was founded in 2001 by Shahida Perveen-Hannesen, together with her husband, Hellmut Hannesen, and the support of the two therapist-teachers, Lars Jamke and Graham Simpson. The Green Earth School offers children from the village of Heir, a suburb of Lahore, the opportunity to attend school, as they would otherwise remain without an education.

The owner, Mr Serwar Bhatti, of the Lahore-based plastics recycling factory, Green Earth, played a decisive role in its foundation. He not only provided the land and building for the school named after the factory, but also created the economic basis for it - much like Emil Molt once did. The school building is quietly located about 150 metres from the road. It was gradually expanded, because when the school was founded in 2006 it had 80 children, and today there are 400! And the number of teachers has grown from six to 23, four of whom are still there from the early days.

An important part of the school is the better integration of deaf pupils, for example. Due to the prevailing culture of Islam, children born with disabilities are seen as a gift from God. In this respect, both the social therapy centre and the school are very well received and supported by the surrounding society.

Educators in Lahore have long wished to establish more Waldorf schools.So far, however, the social therapy centre in Roshni and the Green Earth Roshni School are the only Waldorf initiatives in Pakistan. Unfortunately, there is little to no networking between schools in Lahore, which could not be more different in terms of their orientation and facilities. In principle, anyone in Pakistan with the necessary assets can set up a school. However, the focus is more on pursuing and implementing one's own school concept than networking with other schools.

This is a great pity, as networking and establishing further Waldorf schools would benefit everyone, and above all, the children. Unfortunately, despite the encouraging growth in numbers at the Green Earth School, many children are unable to go to school. They help at home, or go to work to support their families.

The children who attend the school follow the lessons attentively and with full concentration. They appreciate the fact that they are allowed to learn. This concentration shown by the children, but also of the teachers during their training sessions, never ceases to amaze and delight me. Even during a training course held during Ramadan, the month of fasting, during my last visit in April 2024, all participants were fully focussed. It was also nice to see that the content of the training was being put into practice straight away.

I am certain that I will visit the Green Earth Roshni School, and the affiliated Roshni social therapy centre again in future to further deepen Waldorf education with the teachers there, and to show them ways in which the content can be implemented well.”

Andreas Pelzer