Up to the challenge: Students excited about new facilities

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

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.