The Minister of Education participates in the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Dr. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education and Technical Education, participated today in the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which was held under the patronage of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, in the presence of Dr. Iman Karim, General Supervisor of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Nevin Al-Kilani, Minister of Culture, and Dr. Amr Haddad. Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports and Counselor Hazem Badawi, Chairman of the National Elections Authority, and Ahmed Al-Bandari, Director of the National Elections Authority.

Dr. Reda Hegazy participated in a dialogue session during the events, during which he stressed that students with special needs have a vision and can be ahead of the times in some fields, referring to the student Muhannad, who was presented to His Excellency Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, in a celebration “ “Able to be different,” a proposal to teach values and respect for others, which was adopted by the Ministry to teach the curriculum of values and respect for others from the first grade of kindergarten to the third grade of primary school for all students in the Republic.

The Minister continued that His Excellency Mr. President also directed the launch of the “Companions Who Are Differently Capable” initiative, whereby the Ministry circulated the most frequent and widely used signs for the deaf in schools, which reflects the keenness of the Egyptian state and the Ministry of Education to make these signs common and the basis for the language of dialogue with people with needs. Special for the deaf.

The minister reviewed the vision of the state and the Ministry of Education in its 2024/2029 strategic plan, which emphasized three priorities: children, women, and people with disabilities, noting that the ministry’s vision focuses on providing quality education without discrimination to any child in Egypt.

The Minister said that there are about 46 thousand children with hearing, visual and intellectual disabilities in 330 schools, and there are 950 teachers in special education schools. The Ministry is working to develop their skills in partnership with specialized colleges such as the College of Education for Sciences for People with Disabilities in Zagazig, Beni Suef, Alexandria and Ain Shams, stressing The importance of the role of the teacher and his support for the student with disabilities, in addition to the fact that there are 114 thousand integrated children, so the Ministry is working to develop resource rooms, as the integrated student studies among his colleagues, and the benefit does not only accrue to the integrated child but to his other colleagues in how to deal with With each other.

The Minister stressed that the Ministry is working to develop teachers through TOT programs, the presence of certified trainers in the field of integration, and holding training with specialized partner colleges.

The Minister added that all new education curricula for students with special needs and inclusion at all levels have been modified and developed, and the Ministry is interested in the technological environment that helps learning, in addition to making a sign dictionary and electronic sign language available.

The Minister also stressed his keenness to ensure that the list of high school graduates includes students with disabilities, and a student from each disability category (integration).

For her part, Dr. Iman Karim, General Supervisor of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, expressed her thanks and pride for the interest of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, in developing the efforts presented by the Council, stressing the Council’s role in participating in international conferences to discuss the rights of persons with disabilities and their reproductive and psychological health. And also cooperate with the Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives in amending and legislating laws and regulations related to human rights, and following up on the goals of the human rights strategy, in addition to contributing to the preparation of the draft Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities as an Arab reference for disability in Arab countries.

Dr. Iman also reviewed the Council’s contributions to the events and activities of the “Our Heritage for Handicrafts and Heritage 2023” exhibition, which is organized by the Enterprise Development Authority, with the participation of exhibitors from people with disabilities themselves or through civil associations that support their training and encourage them to produce, develop and innovate. The Council also participated in a marathon. “International Day of the Deaf” on the occasion of Egypt and the world’s celebrations of the International Day of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, as well as the celebration of sign language, explaining that the Council also provides psychological support and legal support for many issues for people with disabilities, the most important of which are issues of bullying, exploitation for begging, abuse, violence, etc., and providing all means of assistance. Health, social, specialized, and legal, including a psychologist, and if necessary, the provision of a specialized doctor.

The celebration included the showing of a documentary film about the activities of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities during the year 2023 and Vision 2024. The distinguished persons with disabilities in the field of sports were also honored during the celebration, and the first place in the academic year 2022/2023 was honored, and the judges who participated in facilitating the electoral process for persons with disabilities were honored. Disability in the presidential elections, and the influential people in the path of people with disabilities.

On the sidelines of the celebration, Dr. Reda Hegazy inspected the exhibition of products for people with disabilities, which included a number of (artistic paintings, models, and handicrafts), expressing his happiness with the exhibiting students and the support and interest of their parents.