Sightsavers, ADD International Bangladesh and Sense International are implementing a consortium project named “Education for Children with Disabilities,” which falls under Task Order 45 of the FCDO-funded Disability Inclusive Programme.
The project was officially launched Wednesday at Hotel Amari, Gulshan, Dhaka, reads a press release.
ADD International, Centre for Disability in Development, Gana Unnayan Kendra, Sense International and Sightsavers jointly organized the launch event.
Shah Rezwan Hayat, director general of the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE), attend the event as chief guest, while M Abdul Salam, chief executive of Gana Unnayan Kendra, presided over it.
The project aims to improve educational outcomes and provide equal access to education for children with disabilities, particularly those with complex and multiple disabilities, both those in school and out of school.
It further aims to promote inclusive education by strengthening school infrastructure and planning systems and improving referral pathways and home-based education.
Speaking as the chief guest, DPE Director General Shah Rezwan Hayat said: “The government of Bangladesh is committed to ensuring inclusive education in the country, and many initiatives have been taken to enrol students with disabilities in primary schools. However, there is a greater need for government and non-government collaboration to strengthen the system and achieve even better results.”
In the welcome remarks, Sightsavers Bangladesh Country Director Amrita Rejina Rozario said: “The outbreak of Covid left severe impacts on the education of children with disabilities as schools were closed for nearly two years from March 2020 until February 2022, with only brief intermittent periods of reopening for certain groups. This situation rendered many children vulnerable – especially those with disabilities – and at risk of not returning and dropping out of school.”
The keynote paper presented by Syeda Asma Rashida, project manager, inclusive education, Sightsavers, showed that the project will collaborate with 45 primary schools in three upazilas of two districts of Bangladesh: Narsingdi Sadar upazila of Narsingdi district, and Sirajganj Sadar and Tarash upazilas under Sirajganj district.
Moreover, the project will support families and enable 533 children with disabilities to go to school and achieve better learning outcomes.
Mohammad Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, director (administration) at the Department of Social Services, SM Zahidul Hassan, deputy director at the National Foundation of Development of the Disabled Persons (JPUF), Ghulam Faruq Hamim, head of programs at ADD International, AHM Noman Khan, executive director at Centre for Disability in Development, officials from the DPE and representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities among others spoke at the event, highlighting challenges and promoting education of children with disabilities in Bangladesh
