Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has inaugurated 49 digital classrooms and 20 satellite schools as part of an initiative to expand access to specialised education for deaf and differently-abled children across the province.
The facilities were formally launched at the Government Special Education and Rehabilitation Complex in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and are expected to benefit around 1,230 children.
The 49 digital classrooms, established at 37 Special Education and Rehabilitation Centres, will provide technology-enabled learning to approximately 754 deaf students, while another 476 children are expected to benefit from the 20 satellite schools.
The initiative has been developed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) in collaboration with Deaf Reach and the Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF).
A new training programme for sign-language teachers was also launched to improve teaching skills and strengthen the use of Pakistan Sign Language in inclusive education.
Speaking at the ceremony, Murad said the digital classrooms would give students greater access to modern educational technology, including smartboards and e-learning resources, irrespective of their location.
“This training program will strengthen the capacity of our teachers and promote Pakistan Sign Language as an important tool for inclusive education,” he said.
The chief minister said the provincial government was supporting approximately 20,000 students enrolled at 67 specialised institutions across Sindh. Services provided free of cost include rehabilitation, physiotherapy, speech therapy, transportation and nutritious meals, along with a monthly stipend of Rs3,000. Partner organisations are also supported through grant-in-aid programmes.
DEPD Secretary Tuaha Ahmed Faruqui highlighted growing demand for specialised education, saying around 500 students were currently studying at two government facilities in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, while approximately 810 children remained on waiting lists for admission.
Faruqui said the department aimed to go beyond increasing enrolment by helping children develop communication skills, confidence and vocational abilities. He added that DEPD, working with the Sindh government and 140 partner organisations, had provided educational and rehabilitation support as well as assistive devices to thousands of differently-abled people.
Joining the ceremony virtually, Deaf Reach founder Richard Geary said digital classrooms and satellite schools could allow children in remote communities to access specialised education without facing the geographical barriers that have traditionally limited such opportunities.
Officials said further expansion of technology-enabled educational services was planned.
Murad later toured classrooms at the Gulistan-e-Jauhar complex, interacted with students and teachers, and reviewed its teaching, rehabilitation and skills-development programmes.
The ceremony concluded with the virtual inauguration of the new digital classrooms and satellite schools across Sindh.