Madam Shehnaz Ellahie
Madam Shehnaz Ellahie
🌹 Honouring a Legend of ICB
Madam Shehnaz Ellahie stands among the most respected names in the history of Islamabad College for Boys (ICB) — a true pioneer whose devotion to education helped define the institution’s early years. As one of the founding teachers of ICB’s Nursery and Primary Section, she transformed the concept of early learning in Islamabad through vision, compassion, and tireless dedication.
ICB, known then as IMS (Islamabad Model School), was home to some of the finest educators of its time — teachers who taught not just lessons, but values that shaped generations. Among these matchless souls, Madam Ellahie shone brightly as a symbol of patience, discipline, and genuine love for her students.
Her contribution extended far beyond the classroom. By establishing Islamabad’s first-ever Nursery in 1970 and training future teachers, she laid the foundation for structured early education in the capital. Over the decades, her influence spread nationally and internationally — yet her heart always remained with ICB, where her journey began.
Madam Shehnaz Ellahie is not just a name in ICB’s history — she is a chapter of pride, a beacon of inspiration, and a reminder that true educators leave footprints not in sand, but in souls.
🌟Professional Journey – A Pioneer of Early Childhood Education at ICB
🏫 The Glorious Era of ICB (IMS) – 1970s to 1990s
The 1970s marked a golden chapter in the history of Islamabad College for Boys (then IMS – Islamabad Model School). It was a time when teachers were more than educators — they were mentors, guides, and nation builders. Their classrooms radiated with passion, discipline, and an unshakable commitment to learning.
Among these exceptional educators stood Madam Shehnaz Ellahie, a name that continues to inspire respect and admiration. She was among the pioneers of ICB, a teacher whose devotion to her students and profession made her truly matchless. Her contribution during those formative decades helped shape the spirit of education in Islamabad.
👩‍🏫 A Pioneer in Nursery and Primary Education
From 1970 to 1990, Madam Shehnaz Ellahie served as a Nursery and Primary Teacher at Islamabad College for Boys, leaving a lifelong impact on generations of students.
In 1970, she founded the first-ever Nursery in Islamabad, a groundbreaking initiative that introduced structured early childhood education to the capital. Her vision didn’t stop there — she also trained teachers, empowering others to carry forward her methods of nurturing young minds through patience, creativity, and empathy.
Her teaching style was a perfect blend of discipline and affection, and her students still recall her classroom as a place filled with learning, laughter, and love. She was more than a teacher — she was a mentor, role model, and second mother to many.
🌍 Expanding Horizons – A Global Educator
After her illustrious years at ICB, Madam Ellahie continued to enrich lives across Pakistan and abroad. Her journey as a teacher, trainer, and leader took her to several renowned institutions, including:
Armour Academy, Nowshera – Founder Principal and Teacher
St. Francis Grammar School, Quetta – English Teacher (Years 8 & 9)
Pak-American Cultural Center, Quetta – ESOL Teacher for Adults
Creighton Public School, Karachi – Founder Principal & Teacher
Karachi Grammar School, Karachi – English Teacher (O’ Levels)
Pak-Yemen School, Sana’a (Yemen) – English Teacher (Year 9)
Her teaching career later expanded to the United Kingdom, where she served as a Class Teacher, EAL Coordinator, Refugee Education Advisor, and SEN Specialist under educational authorities such as Haringey and Barnet. Her expertise in multicultural and inclusive education set a benchmark for educators worldwide.
🎓 Education, Qualifications & Lifelong Learning
Madam Shehnaz Ellahie’s quest for knowledge has always been endless. She earned her B.Sc. and B.Ed. degrees from Gordon College and Punjab University, and gained early childhood training from St. Denys, Murree.
Between 1990 and 2012, she pursued extensive professional development in Education, Counselling, Special Needs, Child Protection, and EAL (English as an Additional Language) from various universities and training centers in the UK and Australia.
Her expertise includes:
Inclusive and multicultural education
Support for refugee and asylum-seeker students
Teacher training and curriculum development
Emotional well-being and classroom management
Her professional journey has been a lifelong testimony to her belief that education is a force that transforms lives.
đź’« Counselling, Healing, and Holistic Development
Since 2013, Madam Shehnaz Ellahie has broadened her role as a guide and mentor by serving as an accredited Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, registered with the National Hypnotherapy Society and the National Counselling Society (UK).
She is also a qualified Reiki practitioner, using her healing energy to support emotional balance and mental well-being. Through her practice, she has helped individuals and families overcome personal challenges using CBT, Humanistic, and Psychodynamic therapies, along with Reiki and Hypnosis.
Her compassion, insight, and calm presence continue to bring comfort and transformation to those she counsels.
🕊️ A Life Devoted to Education and Humanity
From the classrooms of Islamabad to schools in London and Sana’a, Madam Shehnaz Ellahie’s journey is one of purpose, integrity, and unwavering commitment. Her pioneering work in early education, her passion for inclusivity, and her deep humanity make her a true embodiment of ICB’s spirit.
She remains a shining symbol of the golden generation of ICB teachers — matchless in dedication, graceful in character, and forever remembered as a mentor who taught not only lessons but values for life.
“She Taught Us More Than Lessons — She Taught Us Life”
A tribute to Madam Shehnaz Ellahie from her first Nursery-A students (1970–71): Muhammad Nasir Subhan, Tarannum Masroor, Sadia Hafeez, and classmates
🌼 The Beginning of a New Era
We had the distinct privilege of being part of the very first nursery class at Islamabad Model School (IMS) in the early 1970–71 session.
Before that, the junior-most level at the school was Class 1 — until Madam Shehnaz Ellahie courageously took on the challenge of starting a nursery section. She devoted herself to nurturing little ones who had never before seen the inside of a classroom.
It was her patience, creativity, and motherly care that transformed those early days into unforgettable memories for all of us.
🧒 Joyful Days of Learning
Our time in the nursery was filled with colour and wonder. We remember coming to school in our bright, cheerful dresses, sharing lunchtime picnics in the nursery garden area, and enjoying the mandatory nap time in the cozy little room nestled between two larger nursery sections.
Under Madam Shehnaz’s gentle guidance, we learned the ethics of good manners, the spirit of teamwork, and the joy of learning. She made even the basics — alphabets, numbers, and colours — feel like exciting adventures.
🌤️ Lessons Beyond the Classroom
Every day, Madam would choose a couple of students to step outside, observe the sky, and update the weather and date board. It was our first lesson in responsibility and observation — a small task that made us feel proud and grown-up.
She also instilled in us the importance of neatness and discipline. Our dressings, haircuts, and nails were regularly inspected. We would sometimes line up in neat rows to march towards the morning assembly or prepare for the annual sports day.
🎠The Stage and the Spotlight
One of our fondest memories is the stage drama directed by Madam Shehnaz herself. In that play, Hasnain Zaidi took on the role of a Nikah Khawan, while the rest of us played the lively Baraatis.
The drama had a humorous twist — a friendly argument between the two families led to the Baraatis returning without the bride! The entire audience, including our parents, was delighted by the energy and creativity that Madam Shehnaz brought to life through such young children.
🌹 A Legacy of Love and Learning
Looking back, we realize how profoundly Madam Shehnaz Ellahie shaped not only our early education but also our values and confidence. Her pioneering efforts laid the foundation for nursery education in the model institutions of Islamabad.
We, her grateful students, salute Madam Shehnaz Ellahie — a true educator, visionary, and the pioneer of nursery schooling in our beloved city. Her warmth, discipline, and innovation continue to inspire generations of learners.
A Moment of First Triumph, March 1975 – ICBian Muhammad Tahir’s Tribute to Madam Shehnaz Ellahie
I still remember the day I first stepped into what was then IMS of Islamabad, nervous yet filled with hope. It was my admission test, and little did I know, that day would remain etched in my memory forever.
I was welcomed by Madam Shehnaz Ellahie in a classroom near the junior section hall, surrounded by other kids who were just as anxious as I was. But the moment I met Madam Shehnaz, all my fears melted away. She was so polite, so sweet, so genuinely caring that for the first time in my life, being on my own did not feel scary. I felt confident and calm.
The admission test began simply. Madam asked me to do some counting, to recite a, b, c, and then handed me a sheet of paper. On it was a drawing of a manual balance scale, with apples on both sides. I could sense that this was more than just a drawing; it was a test of observation, understanding, and honesty.
Then came the final question — one I remember clearly to this day. Madam looked at me with a gentle smile and asked:
“Tahir baita, if you add more apples to this side,” — she pointed to one side of the scale — “what will happen? Will the scale move? If yes, which side will go down?”
Even though it was the first real question posed to me, the warmth and friendliness of Madam Shehnaz made it easy to answer. Without hesitation, I said, “The side with more apples will move downwards.”
Her eyes twinkled, and she said with genuine encouragement, “Very good, Tahir!” Then, she handed me crayons to color the apples, and I chose red, filling the page with color and joy. In that moment, I felt a first taste of triumph, a first spark of achievement — small, yet monumental for me.
A few minutes later, I was told I was admitted to IMS, and I would join classes the following week. That day, that beautiful moment of validation and care, has stayed with me all my life, alongside the smiling, encouraging face of Madam Shehnaz.
Later, fate brought me back to her classroom as my teacher in Class II-QAH, where her guidance continued to shape my early years.
This is more than just a memory; it is a tribute to the wisdom and encouragement of a teacher who could turn a small admission test into a lifelong moment of joy and confidence.
Thank you, Madam Shehnaz, for that unforgettable day!
Muhammad Tahir, ICBian, 1975-87 (Class I-XII)
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