The government has taken the initiative to establish eight types of specialised schools for children with autism and disabilities. Based on requirements, such special schools will be constructed even at the upazila levels. Meanwhile, teachers and workers of private universities for specially-abled students will also be brought under a salary structure with the fulfilment of certain conditions.
According to sources, to bring existing institutions under a salary format, the ministry of social welfare has prepared two policies – one is the special education policy for neuro- developmental disabilities and the other is policy for children without neuro- developmental disabilities.
Under these policies, special schools for children with autism, cerebral palsy, down-syndrome, hearing and speech difficulty, visual complications and physical disabilities will be established.
Social welfare secretary, Md. Zillur Rahman, told Bangla Tribune “To connect children with disabilities to the mainstream, these schools will run special curriculums.”
The existing private specialised schools can also be included in the Monthly Payment Order, MPO, by fulfilling certain conditions.
We want to ensure the participation of people with disabilities in all spheres of social advancement, said the secretary.
Initially, the government has plans for 64 Neuro Developmental Disabilities, NDD, schools, with one in each zila.
The disability related special education policy states that while the age bracket is between 3 and 18, in special cases, the rules can be relaxed.
The policy further states that to help students choose a vocation, they will be given extra lessons in areas like music, dance, arts as per their preference.
They will also be given training on household work, gardening and, when needed, provided speech and other forms of physiotherapy.
To establish a specialised school, 6 decimal or a 5000 square feet flat will be required. In zilas, the required land is 20 decimal. If the institution is in the name of a person then the account of the school must have Tk. 10 lakh in the account; to become a donor member the amount is Tk. 2 lakh.
The new guideline makes 30 hours of class mandatory per week.