Dhaka: With a view to building an inclusive society, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid today inaugurated the construction works of ‘Ashar Alo’, a special educational institution for children with special needs in the city’s Khilkhet area. The school is being constructed under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Welfare and conducted by the Bangladesh Navy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sharmeen emphasized that the institution represents hope and humanity in her inaugural speech. She expressed confidence that the school will play an important role in nurturing the talents of children with special needs and serve as an example to other educational institutions by developing confident and self-reliant citizens.
The event was attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan as a special guest, with Bangladesh Navy Family and Welfare Association President Nadia Sultana presiding over the ceremony. Sharmeen highlighted the rights of every child to grow up healthily and safely, stressing that children with special needs are an integral part of society and deserve equal educational opportunities and services.
The adviser also informed that the National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons has overseen the opening of 11 schools in Dhaka and six divisional cities. These institutions offer facilities for children with autism and other neuro-developmental disorders, providing education in various disciplines, including literacy, numeracy, music, and sports. Specialized schools are also being run by NGOs across the country to ensure educational rights for children with special needs.
Additionally, Sharmeen mentioned the launch of 103 special service and support centers across 64 districts and 39 upazilas, aimed at providing free special education, counseling, and support materials to individuals with autism and other special needs. These centers are particularly focused on remote areas.
The adviser elaborated on the services that ‘Ashar Alo Dhaka’ will offer, including specialized education, autism support programs, speech and occupational therapy, parent counseling, and vocational training to foster self-reliance among children. The school will cater to all children with special needs, including those from the armed forces, and address the demand for a quality specialized school in the Khilkhet area.
Sharmeen reiterated the government’s priority for welfare activities, including support for children with special needs, and promised her commitment to supporting such initiatives. She expressed hope for continued support from the government and society’s established personalities in the development of Ashar Alo School Dhaka.
The inauguration concluded with Sharmeen viewing a documentary about Ashar Alo School’s activities and breaking ground on a new building spanning 1.6 acres, managed by the Bangladesh Navy.