The government has taken a move to designate at least one school exclusively for children with disability in each upazila, aiming to bring them in the mainstream of society and involve them in economic activities.
A process to amend the 'Integrated Special Education Policy on Disabilities, 2009' through the Social Welfare Ministry is underway to make it more time-befitting one.
According to an official document, there is a scope to recognise at least one school in each upazila. For that, the particular school has to fulfill the conditions to be stated in the policy.
"After finalising the policy, the schools will be recognised by the Social Welfare Ministry," the document reads.
Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon said the amended policy was sent to the Public Administration Ministry two months ago for its approval.
"Once we get back the file, our ministry will send it to the Cabinet Division for the final approval by the Cabinet,” he said.
Menon mentioned that the Social Welfare Ministry is trying to get the approval from the Cabinet as soon as possible, according to UNB news agency.
According to the official document, the present government has formulated 'Rights and Security of the Disabled Persons Act, 2013' and 'Neuro-Developmental Security Trust Act, 2013' for improving the standard of life of the persons with disabilities.
As per rules of the two acts, formulation of a national work plan on disabilities is now at the final stage, the minister said.
As per the existing 'Integrated Special Education Policy on Disabilities, 2009' the National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled Persons under the Social Welfare Ministry is running 62 schools for the intellectually disabled persons at district and upazila levels.
The teachers and staff of these schools have been receiving salaries and allowances from the government since February 2010, official sources said.
A senior official at the Social Welfare Ministry said the government, especially the Prime Minister, is very much eager to develop the lifestyle of the persons with disabilities.