Punjab

Up to the challenge: Students excited about new facilities

Physiotherapy room, library opened at govt school for the handicapped.

Rahib Raza May 08, 2011

LAHORE:

“I have been using the physiotherapy room for two weeks. The exercises I have been doing have given me into hoping that I’ll be able to walk one day,” says Azhar, a third grade student at Government School for Physically Handicapped Children at Poonch House, Chauburji.

Ali Raza, a grade ninth grade student, is also excited about the new physiotherapy room and library established at the school on April 20. “There hasn’t been a single day since its inauguration when I didn’t visit the library,” he says.

School headmistress Seema Niazi says more parents have been encouraged to admit their physically-challenged students to the school. She says the feedback from parents has been very encouraging. “The school bus earlier went to pick and drop students only up till Bund Road. With more students enrolling in the school we have to expand the route to include whole of Shahdara,” she says.

Several parents say they were happy with the new facilities and that they plan on making donations so that the school can provide more facilities to their children. They, however, have concerns about the school building. They say the government needs to provide a purpose-built facility. In important ways, they say, the building is not suitable for physically-handicapped children.

Mukeen Mirza, father of Abdullah Mirza, says he has donated a walking frame to the school.

Zulfiqar Shah, father of Rabia, suggests that parents come together and raise funds so that a new building can be bought or built for the school.

The physiotherapy unit and the library were inaugurated by District Officer (Special Education) Abdul Rafy Rao. The two facilities were established by the Special Education Department in collaboration with Iqra Educational Trust, UK.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (2)

M Anees Qari | 12 years ago | Reply dear Rahib, Adab, i am thankful to your newspaper, from which i have came to know about the poor condition of the only school for physically handicapped children governed by the special education department Lahore.in this connection, i would also like to tell you that in my recent visit, our honorary country coordinator Abdul Qudoos Awan pay my attention to the said school. when i visited the school, i was surprised to see that there were no commode in the toilets and no any physiotherapy equipment present in the school. on the same day, i purchased the sticks and other hand assistive aids for the special students and donated to the school. I also order to Mr. Abdul qudoos awan for the provision of the commode. The headmistress of the school also take part and the staff of the school also provided their cooperation for the establishment of the physiotherapy unit and library. i think, now you will also visit the school and follow the progress and observe the special services of the staff for the special community. in this connection, you will also work out for the provision of the building of the school and identify the shortage of the staff. Regards, M. Anees Qari Chairperson, Iqra Educational Trust uk.

Qanita Arshad | 12 years ago | Reply these steps are only taken in lhr , karachi an isl.... many of the handicaped are waiting in other cities ...lyk faisabad .. smaller cities are too far to be discussed ... living in faisalabad there are two schools for handicapped (phisically) but none is having proper arrangmnts 4 mentally retarded children ...govt has to look to the cities other the capitals ov provinces...

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