Over 2,500 deaf, blind individuals engaged in education: Officials

KABUL (TOLOnews): The authorities of the Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVET) said that more than 2,500 deaf and blind individuals are currently engaged in educational and vocational training at the country’s educational centers.
Najibullah Amin, the spokesperson for the Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority, added that next year, more than four centers for the deaf and blind are planned to be established in the provinces of Faryab, Takhar, Jawzjan, and Helmand. The spokesperson said: “In four other provinces, we plan to establish centers, including the provinces of Takhar, Helmand, Faryab, and Jawzjan.” According to him, there are currently more than 16 educational and vocational centers in 14 provinces of the country for the blind and deaf.
Ali Zia, a 21-year-old blind youth who has been studying at the center for the blind for eleven years, now hopes to serve as a teacher for his peers.
Ali Zia told TOLOnews about his learnings from the center for the blind: “Here, we study like in other schools; we receive training in the arts, vocational fields, and computer education.” Mustafa, 24, who is unable to hear, seeks opportunities for employment.
Mustafa, the deaf, said: “God knows the fate; maybe I could find a job or not, whether it involves graphics, design, or different sections, I would like to join and teach.”
At the same time, a number of blind and deaf individuals are calling on the Islamic Emirate to pay attention to the disabled community and provide them with job opportunities. Mohammad Hossaini, a blind individual, said: “Our request from the Islamic Emirate is to provide job opportunities for the disabled and pay special attention to them.”
The director of the center for the blind said that next year the recruitment process will be expanded, and plans are in place.
“We teach them regularly, have transportation, which we want to improve next year, align our administration standards with international standards, and expand the courses,” said Noor Mohammad Faizi, the director of the Institute for the Blind. Earlier, a number of blind individuals in the country also complained about the lack of attention to their challenges by the government and institutions.