Abdul Aziz Sarkar Protibondhi and Autistic School, a special school in Ghatail upazila, Tangail, has been providing free primary education to 111 children with special needs.
The school was founded by and named after former union parishad member Abdul Aziz Sarkar in 2001. With 11 teachers, the school has four other staff, all of whom are paid more or less by Aziz.
Among the teachers, five have completed their honours degree, three are honours students, two are second year college students, and one has a masters degree.
Partially speech impaired students were unable to talk properly before they were admitted to the school, say the teachers to Dhaka Tribune.
KM Mehedi Hasan Raju, the principal of the school, said: “It's quite difficult to teach differently-abled children, but we are trying our best. They are improving every day. Kids who never used to talk nor made any friends, now try to talk with others and spend time with each other. Our goal is to bring them into mainstream society.”
The school has 53 female and 58 male students. Of them, 39 are physically challenged while the rest are of the special needs category. 19 children have both impairments. Of the mentally challenged, Five have cerebral palsy and one has down syndrome.
When asked if the students are properly diagnosed for their medical condition, Aminul Islam, an assistant teacher at the school, said: “All our students are diagnosed by doctors. Most of the children have government registered identity cards and card issuance for others is under process.”
Shamsul Alam Khan, a parent at the school, said: “My daughter Shimu suffers from cerebral palsy. Two years ago she was admitted to the school. Now she is studying in the first grade and can write a bit.”
Murshida Akhter, another parent, said: “My son is mentally challenged from birth. He learned a lot since he was admitted to the school. Previously he couldn’t write or speak properly, which he is able to do now.”
Mosharrof, a third grade student of the school, said: “Teachers take our classes with utmost care. If a building is constructed for the school we would be very happy.”
Abdul Gani, president of the school managing committee, said: “Children with special needs are benefiting from our school, but unfortunately the school has not gotten any government support. Teachers have been facing financial hardship. We urge the government to bring the school under the MPO (Monthly Pay Order) scheme.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Kamrul Islam said: “The school will soon be brought under the MPO and other support necessary will be provided.”