Minister for Primary and Mass Education Mostafizur Rahman yesterday said the people with disabilities would have to be developed as skilled and competent citizens to integrate them with the main stream of society. He was speaking as the chief guest at a national convention on the law for protection of rights of people with disabilities at Agargaon LGED Bhaban conference room in the city.
The Samokal and ADD International jointly organised the meeting, which was presided over by ADD International Country Director Shafiqul Islam.
Secretary of Social Welfare Ministry Nasima Begum, European Union representative Dr. Anna Lixi attended the meeting as the special guests.
Barrister Sara Hossain, Ahsania Mission Executive Director Dr. Ehsanur Rahman and Dr. M. Anisuzzaman presented three papers at the convention.
The minister said the government would take necessary initiatives to ensure unified education for the people with disabilities.
The National Education Policy has a separate chapter for children with disabilities, he added.
He appreciated holding the convention saying that it indicates a change in social attitudes to overcome the crises of people with disabilities.
The government is working to bring the people with disabilities to the mainstream of society, Mostafizur Rahman said and hoped that it would be possible with the joint efforts of the government and non-government organizations.
The minister said no crisis would hold back the country’s advancement. The people are the main force behind the country’s development and they would overcome all problems, he added.
Researchers, businessmen, NGO and human rights activists, representatives of international agencies and people with disabilities from different districts took part in the open discussion.
