Sindh opens digital classrooms and satellite schools for disabled children

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday inaugurated 49 digital classrooms in 37 special education and rehabilitation centres, 20 satellite schools and a sign-language teachers’ training programme for deaf and differently-abled children across the province.

The ceremony was held at the Government Special Education and Rehabilitation Complex in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) is implementing the initiative with Deaf Reach and the Family Educational Services Foundation.

According to DEPD figures, the digital classrooms will serve about 754 deaf students and the satellite schools about 476 children who previously had limited access to specialised education services.

Addressing the event, Shah said the programme was an important step toward equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities. He said the digital classrooms would bring smartboards, e-learning resources and technology-enabled teaching to students regardless of where they live.

“Technology alone is not enough. Capacity building of human resources is equally essential,” the chief minister said, explaining the launch of the sign-language teachers’ training programme, which aims to strengthen teachers and promote Pakistan Sign Language as a tool for inclusive education.

Shah said the Sindh government was providing rehabilitation, physiotherapy, speech therapy, transport, nutritious meals and a monthly stipend of Rs 3,000 free of charge to about 20,000 students enrolled in 67 specialised institutions. He said the government looked forward to expanding the new initiatives further.

DEPD Secretary Tuaha Ahmed Faruqui said growing enrolment showed increasing parental confidence in the department’s services. He disclosed that around 500 students were enrolled at the Gulistan-e-Jauhar complex and the vocational training centre, while nearly 810 children were waiting for admission because of rising demand.

“Where distance, limited resources and lack of specialised facilities once restricted educational opportunities, technology is now helping bring quality learning closer to children and families across Sindh,” Faruqui said.

Deaf Reach founder Richard Geary, speaking through a virtual presentation, highlighted the role of technology in making education accessible to deaf children. He said the digital classrooms and satellite schools would enable children in remote communities to learn without the barriers traditionally associated with specialised education, and appreciated the Sindh government’s partnership.

Parents attending the ceremony expressed gratitude for the expansion of educational facilities and support services.

The chief minister later visited classrooms and facilities at the complex, interacted with students and teachers, and reviewed programmes for education, rehabilitation and skills development. The event concluded with a symbolic virtual inauguration of the new facilities across Sindh.