F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: The Higher Education Department has issued letters to all the heads of Public Sector Higher Education Institutions for implementation of Special Package for Physically Handicapped students in the Province to ensure they get back into the mainstream.
An official release here Thursday stated that all Vice Chancellors, Director Higher Education and Director General Commerce Education and Management Sciences have been directed to ensure implementation of the package which includes up to 10 years of age relaxation for taking admission in any Higher Education Institution of the province along with waiving off all institutional charges including tuition & hostel fees and all utility bills.
The package also provides for the provision of special pathways, toilets, and other basic facilities retrofitting in the existing buildings and will also be ensured in future constructions. In this regard, the Chief Planning Officer of the Higher education Department & C&W have been directed to coordinate to ensure the construction of the facilities in the new construction of college buildings.
Moreover, transport facility will also be provided to special students for their mobility within the premises of their institutions. The Directorate of Higher Education & Directorate General of Commerce have also been directed to establish help desk to provide information regarding implementation of Special Package facilities to the handicapped people.
According to the Minister for Higher Education Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, these reforms will ensure that the special students of the province are provided greater educational opportunities so that they can also play effective role as responsible citizens.
While commenting on the initiative, Secretary Higher Education Department Zafar Ali Shah, stated that 2% quota has been asked to be reflected in the admission policy of Higher Education Department for the physically handicapped students.
For mainstreaming disabled people into decision-making and higher education, Zafar Ali Shah stated that it is vital to ensure that future plans are sustainable for a greater proportion of citizens. “As a society, we should make appropriate space and provisions for them,” he added.
