300 special education schools to be set up: Maryam

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced to establish 300 Special Education Schools as Centres of Excellence across Punjab. She attended a special education ceremony for the provision of hearing aid and launching of enrolment campaign on Thursday.

The CM formally launched the enrolment campaign for out-of-school special children. She gave hearing aid instruments to some children.

She said: “I express my gratitude to Unicef, GPE and Special Education on giving hearing aids. I am pleased to meet the special children. We will establish 300 Special Education Schools as Centres of Excellence in every district. We will do whatever we can to bring special children into the mainstream.”

She added: “We have granted funds and will set up a special institution for autism. Today we are handing over hearing aid instruments. Whosoever wants a wheelchair, he should write to me and it will be given immediately. I am going to launch a wheelchair project soon. If the children are provided hearing aid and eye glasses, they can come to public schools from a special school.”

Unicef representative Abdullah Fadil and Secretary Special Education also addressed the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department and Bank of Punjab reached an agreement to help farmers in the presence of Maryam Nawaz on Thursday. Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and President Punjab Bank Zafar Masood signed the agreement. The CM said a prosperous farmer guaranteed the prosperity of Punjab. She was informed that the Kissan Card would be used for the provision of quality seeds, manure and pesticides. Direct subsidy will also be provided through the Kissan Card. The Bank of Punjab would be the first partner in implementation of the Kissan Card Programme. It will provide loans to deserving farmers along with other financial assistance.

During her visit to the Quaid-i-Azam Business Park, Sheikhupura, said Maryam we want to solve problems of the business community to increase exports and employment opportunities. She directed the authorities concerned to build the Plug and Play Garments City in the park. “The garment city will not only help in the creation of one lakh employment opportunities but also contribute much to women empowerment. We are establishing the best garments city in Punjab.”

She also considered a proposal to build a labour colony and a technical training centre in the business park. She directed to complete a park link road in one month, besides carrying out a massive plantation drive in the area. She directed the relevant departments to take immediate steps for the construction of a motorway interchange in the area and directed the RPO Sheikhupura to take immediate action to improve the law and order situation within 10 days.