Many missing out on remote learning

A large number of students with disabilities may drop out of schools due to the pandemic as they are not attending online classes for lack of technological support, said speakers at a webinar yesterday.

Campaign for Popular Education (Campe) organised the "Shikkha Sanglap  (episode-4) on Education for Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and  Way Forward" to share grassroots experience on the impact of Covid-19 on  education and livelihood of children with disabilities.

The  event also sought recommendations from experts and civil  society actors for strengthening policy advocacy particularly on SDG-4  (inclusive and equitable quality education).

AHM Noman Khan, founding executive director of Centre for Disability and Development, in his keynote, suggested to increase community awareness through mobilising accessible media and strengthening and expanding basic learning sessions through online communication.

Due to lack of appropriate communication methods such as sign languages, large screens and audio texts, students with disabilities are being affected severely, said Noman.

He said more engagement of experts and development organisations are needed in this regard.

Noman suggested home education supported by community teaching assistants and educators for students and also stressed the need for motivating parents through, if needed, counseling.

Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director of Campe, stressed the need for ensuring rights for all persons with disabilities.

More importantly, people need to change their mindset towards a person with disability, said Rasheda, also former adviser to a caretaker government.

Rasheda, who chaired the webinar, urged all to come forward to speak up in favour of persons with disabilities.

Monsur Ahmed Choudhuri, director and trustee of Impact Foundation Bangladesh, said there are laws that ensure rights of persons with disabilities in the country, but those are not being implemented.

Ashrafun Nahar Misti, executive director of Women with Disabilities Development Foundation, said as a person with disability, she continues to face obstacles in her life. She highlighted the importance of increasing budget allocation for persons with disabilities in the education sector.

She said the budget in the sector is the same compared to last year, though it should have been increased.  

Among others, Indrajit Kumar Nandi, senior teacher, Buddhi Protibondhi & Autistic Bidyalaya, Mymensingh, and Iqbal Hossain, education specialist, Unicef, spoke at the event, moderated by KM Enamul Hoque, deputy director of Campe.