Together for an inclusive society
Published: 04:07 PM,Jul 25,2021 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 25,2021
The ministries have launched two initiatives for children with special needs to bring them closer to the mainstream and build an inclusive society.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Endowments in association with the Omani Down Syndrome Society, has initiated a project for children with special needs to improve their ability to recite and memorise the Holy Quran.
According to the project with the slogan 'rehabilitation is a blessing' for students with Down syndrome, the Awqaf is aiming at improving their recitation skills.
"This project is aimed at caring for the children with special abilities and to improve their skills in understanding and reciting the Holy Quran according to the highest standards of education and planning," said Dr Muhammad bin Saeed al Maamari, Under-Secretary of the ministry.
In his speech, he stressed the interest of the ministry in teaching the Quran and spreading its related sciences, which is in line with the strategic directions of the ministry and in accordance with the Oman 2040 vision.
This initiative is aligned with national priorities of education and learning, national capacities, health, citizenship, identity and others.
The memorisation of Holy Quran will improve communication abilities of children with Down Syndrome and help learn more words," said His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said, Chairman of the Oman Down Syndrome Society.
Another project launched by the Ministry of Education, represented by the Directorate-General of Special Education and Continuous Learning, aim to equip the children with special needs with the necessary skills for learning.
The project with the theme “We continue for you”, under the auspices of Dr Ali al Shukaili, Director-General of the Directorate-General of Private Schools at the ministry, discover and refine talents of differently abled children and develop their various skills.
Dr Fathia al Sidiyah, Director-General of the Directorate- General of Special Education and Continuous Learning at the Ministry further added that the summer programme is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Education to present its educational mission to the children with special needs.
The Sultanate of Oman has always been promoting an inclusive society and the Ministry of Social Development has been sparing no efforts in supporting the specially-abled children.
According to a report released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) there are about 42,304 people with disabilities in Oman, out of which 10,880 are children. One in four disabled citizens in the country is under the age of 17 of which 66.9 per cent of disabilities were diagnosed as congenital and another 23.8 percent developed complications during birth that led to disability. On the other hand, 4.7 per cent of disabilities were contracted through illness, and two per cent were from hereditary conditions.
Down’s Syndrome constitutes 10.2 per cent of the cases while 15 per cent are autistic, 13.9 percent with multiple handicaps, and 11.4 percent are mentally retarded.
The report further says that 23.9 percent of disabled children have hearing impairments, 22.4 physically challenged, and 1.2 percent with visual impairments , 1.2 delayed growth, and 0.2 per cent are afflicted with epilepsy. As many as 58 per cent of disabled children are boys, while girls constitute 42 per cent and their educational levels vary as their grasping power varies.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Endowments in association with the Omani Down Syndrome Society, has initiated a project for children with special needs to improve their ability to recite and memorise the Holy Quran.
According to the project with the slogan 'rehabilitation is a blessing' for students with Down syndrome, the Awqaf is aiming at improving their recitation skills.
"This project is aimed at caring for the children with special abilities and to improve their skills in understanding and reciting the Holy Quran according to the highest standards of education and planning," said Dr Muhammad bin Saeed al Maamari, Under-Secretary of the ministry.
In his speech, he stressed the interest of the ministry in teaching the Quran and spreading its related sciences, which is in line with the strategic directions of the ministry and in accordance with the Oman 2040 vision.
This initiative is aligned with national priorities of education and learning, national capacities, health, citizenship, identity and others.
The memorisation of Holy Quran will improve communication abilities of children with Down Syndrome and help learn more words," said His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said, Chairman of the Oman Down Syndrome Society.
Another project launched by the Ministry of Education, represented by the Directorate-General of Special Education and Continuous Learning, aim to equip the children with special needs with the necessary skills for learning.
The project with the theme “We continue for you”, under the auspices of Dr Ali al Shukaili, Director-General of the Directorate-General of Private Schools at the ministry, discover and refine talents of differently abled children and develop their various skills.
Dr Fathia al Sidiyah, Director-General of the Directorate- General of Special Education and Continuous Learning at the Ministry further added that the summer programme is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Education to present its educational mission to the children with special needs.
The Sultanate of Oman has always been promoting an inclusive society and the Ministry of Social Development has been sparing no efforts in supporting the specially-abled children.
According to a report released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) there are about 42,304 people with disabilities in Oman, out of which 10,880 are children. One in four disabled citizens in the country is under the age of 17 of which 66.9 per cent of disabilities were diagnosed as congenital and another 23.8 percent developed complications during birth that led to disability. On the other hand, 4.7 per cent of disabilities were contracted through illness, and two per cent were from hereditary conditions.
Down’s Syndrome constitutes 10.2 per cent of the cases while 15 per cent are autistic, 13.9 percent with multiple handicaps, and 11.4 percent are mentally retarded.
The report further says that 23.9 percent of disabled children have hearing impairments, 22.4 physically challenged, and 1.2 percent with visual impairments , 1.2 delayed growth, and 0.2 per cent are afflicted with epilepsy. As many as 58 per cent of disabled children are boys, while girls constitute 42 per cent and their educational levels vary as their grasping power varies.