A new comprehensive policy for special education in Sindh is being framed with the consultation of the stakeholders concerned and it would be implemented after the provincial cabinet approves it, said Chief Minister’s Special Education Adviser Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh.
He said all aspects related to special education would be considered while devising the new policy and, particularly, the special education network would be extended to the level of tehsil.
Shaikh was talking to the media after an important meeting of the stakeholders of special education in the province, including non-governmental organisations, educators, social workers, parents and institutes.
During the meeting, participants gave feedback on the proposed action plan, strategies and necessary prerequisites.
It was decided that a core committee would be notified with the justified representation of stakeholders which, with the help of the standing committees on different disabilities, would draft the policy for dissemination among the stakeholders through a systematic procedure.
Shaikh hoped that the participants fulfil their commitment to extend their optimum support for the cause of special education.
He said he is committed to improving the conditions of the special education institutes working under the Special Education Department that are not in a good state but are gradually improving.
He assured that extension of new centres at tehsil level means recruitment, which would provide new opportunities to eliminate unemployment.
Special Education Secretary Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, Special Education Deputy Secretary Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, Ghulam Nabi Mehar, Amina Hashwani of the Network of Organisations Working for People with Disabilities Pakistan, eminent scholars, senior retired officers, teachers from the Special Education Department of the University of Karachi, and a large number of representatives of significant organisations also attended the meeting.
