Speakers at a workshop said that only 30,000 out of total 3.7 million disabled people attend school and get educated in Pakistan. The workshop on "Rehabilitation and guidance of special children and inclusive" was organised by the Rural Home Economics Department, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad at Students Training Centre, here on Friday.
Speakers said that only 4 percent of the disabled persons are enrolled in the schools while 96% percent stay at home. The session was presided over by Division of Education and Extension, UAF Director, Dr Tanvir Ali while Zia Afzal Baig, Deputy Director, Central Special Education, Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education was the chief guest. Naheed Abbas, Chairperson, Rural Home Economics Department was also present.
Dr Ali said that the disabled persons need special attention of the people of society. He said the workshop is organised to solve the problem being faced by special persons. In the opening address, Naheed Abbas called for promoting inclusive education for the special children that would help the children to lead good lives.
Zia Afzal said that only 530 educational institutions are working in the country for education and rehabilitation of the special people. He said that according to 1998 census, 2.49 percent of the total population is suffering from disabilities, and stressed the need to promote inclusive education for the special persons. He said 96 percent of out-of-school disabled persons could be sent to school through inclusive education.
Floating the idea of inclusive education, he said the inclusive education is a system in which all the pupils with special education are enrolled in ordinary classes in their district schools and are provided with support services and an education based on their forces and needs.
Giving details about special persons, he said that the 1.04 percent of the people reside in Islamabad, 2.48 percent in Punjab, 3.05 percent in Sindh, 2.12 percent in NWFP, 2.23 percent in Balochistan, 2.46 percent in Northern Areas and 2.7 in AJK. He hailed the steps taken to start at least one integrated special education centre in each district. He said that there are some barriers which are hindering the development of the special persons including income and education that should be removed so that increase in the trained special persons will be witnessed.