A teachers’ training programme would soon be started to secure the future of special children and groom them in a better way, said Sindh Chief Minister’s Adviser on Special Education Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh on Saturday.
Talking to the media after a walk organised at the Centre for Mentally Handicapped Children in Korangi to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Sheikh said the provincial government is planning various programmes to build confidence and sense of ownership among special children.
The walk was held from the Centre to the Chiniot General Hospital, Korangi, and special children were holding placards and banners to highlight the significance of the Day and their problems.
Sheikh said the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed with simplicity this year in view of Muharramul Haram.
He said he has requested Sindh Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to provide funds for the welfare of special children and a special needs group is being put together in this regard.
The government has also initiated a survey in the province to determine the number of special people so that proper attention and support could be sought from global organisations providing support to special people, he added.
While pointing out the departments that have occupied buildings of the centres of Special Education Department in various areas of the province, Sheikh said he has taken up the issue at the higher level of the government and hoped these buildings would be vacated soon.
Later, he distributed gifts among the children and handed Rs 500 each to 500 children on behalf of the Special Education Department.
Sindh Special Education Secretary Muhammad Ali Shah, Centre for Mentally Handicapped Children Principal Mushtaq Ali Abbasi, parents of the children and representatives of some non-governmental organisations were also present on the occasion.
