Balochistan government allocates Rs 500 million for Special Children

ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):Balochistan government has earmarked Rs 500 million under ‘Special Child Programme’ to meet the needs of special children of the province.

Under the Programme, free education, financial assistance and supporting devices would be provided to make them self-sufficient in the society, Balochistan Minister for Social Welfare and Non-Formal Education, Asadullah Baloch told APP on Thursday.

He said the initiative would impart free education to such children besides providing them boarding, lodging, books and uniforms to ensure the accessibility of the basic right to education. A Special Education Complex at a cost of Rs 2.5 million would also be set up in Zhob division in that regard, he added.

Asadullah Baloch said a special directorate would be set up for awarding scholarships to talented and deserving special students and in that regard, a draft for providing financial assistance has already been approved by the provincial government. The supporting devices like wheel chairs, tricycles, crutches, white sticks and hearing aids with vocational skills to children with disabilities was also the part of the program, he told. In order to provide disable free environment, the department has planned to establish ramps, designated parking, and elevators across the province.

According to the Balochistan Persons with Disabilities Act, which among other things assures equity in education for people with disabilities, includes quota and 50 percent flexibility in fee in public and private institutions.