Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain spoke as the chief guest at a special grants distribution ceremony in Eskaton, Dhaka. Photo: PID
Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain today said the government will build one school for persons with disabilities in every district and upazila of the country in phases.
"Eighty five schools for persons with disabilities are currently operating in the country. The government is considering not only establishing schools but also increasing the number of specially trained teachers to ensure quality education for children with special needs," he said.
Zahid was speaking as the chief guest at special grants distribution ceremony for students with disabilities and meritorious students from disadvantaged backgrounds organized by the Bangladesh National Social Welfare Council in Eskaton here.
He said the government is moving forward with practical action plans aimed not only at bringing persons with disabilities under social protection but also at creating employment opportunities for them and developing them as entrepreneurs.
Parents of children with special needs often cannot participate in regular employment because of the demands of raising and caring for their children, he noted.
The government is also actively considering ways to enable such parents to earn an income from home or in suitable working environments and remain economically active, he said.
The minister expressed solidarity with the demand of increasing the amount of the allowances for differently abled persons and hoped that effective measures would be taken to increase the allowances.
Social Welfare Secretary Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf and Bangladesh National Social Welfare Council Executive Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman attended the programme as special guests.
Yusuf said that during the tenure of the present government, both the rate of allowances and the number of beneficiaries under social safety-net programmes have increased.
While Tk 5.5 crore was previously provided through the Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust (NDD Trust), the amount has now been increased to Tk 11 crore, he added.
The minister handed over special grant cheques to 92 students with special needs and meritorious students during the event.
