National Conference on Inclusion and Special Needs Education with EENET Open Meeting
Islamabad, 31st August to 2nd September 2006
The Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF] with support from the private sector as well as IDP Norway and EENET Asia organised a three day conference to raise awareness among members of different disabled persons organisation about inclusion and the need for reform within the special education system to reach the goal of quality Education for All by 2015.
HE Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minster of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan addressed the conference in a facsimile message: “Pakistan … should adopt a shift from exclusive system of education to that of inclusive education for the children with disabilities and ensure the provision of quality services to all segments of age groups for persons with disabilities, through expansion and strengthening of service delivery infrastructure.”
In his opening speech HE Mr. Sardar Ateeq Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir [AJK] opened the Conference and promised to support the implementation of inclusion in schools throughout the Pakistan administered part of Jammu and Kashmir under guidance of UNESCO, UNICEF and IDP Norway.
The Symposium Issue of EENET Asia Newsletter with the Recommendations from the International Symposium on Inclusion and the Removal of Barriers to Learning, Participation and Development and the Compendium on a right based approach to education [from Indonesia] were distributed to the 150 participants that joined the conference.
UNICEF presented Embracing Diversity – Toolkit for Creating Inclusive, Learning-Friendly Environments during the EENET Open Meeting. Questionnaires based on the EENET “Food for Thought” on labelling and stigmatisation were translated to Urdu and distributed among the participants – A collection of these will be published in the next EENET Asia newsletter.
Towards the end of the Conference the participants formulated a set of recommendations for the Government of Pakistan to strengthen the efforts Towards Education for All in an Inclusive Setting.
Terje Magnussønn Watterdal
Islamabad 02/09/2006
Programme
1st day: Thursday 31st of August
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| Registration and Inaugural Session from 08:00 to 10:30 |
| 08:00 to 09:00 |
Registration |
| 09:00 to 10:30 |
Inaugural Session |
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- Recitation from the Holy Quran
- Naat
- Welcome address by Mr. Shahid Ahmed Memon, Chairman, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF]
- Keynote Address by Terje Magnussønn Watterdal, Senior Partner, IDP Norway
- Special Award Ceremony
a. To Mr. Safeer Ahmed for his contributing work in Kashmir [AJK] for persons with disabilities
b. To Miss Shakila Yasmin, Chair-Person, Women Section and Board Member, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF]
- Opening address by the Chief Guest His Excellency Mr. Sardar Ateeq Ahmed Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir [AJK]
- Press Conference
Newspaper Article: The Nation, 1st September 2006 - Equal Opportunities to Disabled Stressed
Newspaper Article: The News, 1st September 2006 - Towards Inclusive Education for the Disabled
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| Tea Break from 10:30 to 11:00 |
| First plenary Session from 11:00 to 12:30 |
| 11:00 to 12:30 |
Enabling Education Network – EENET Open Meeting |
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- Chaired by Mr. Terje Magnussønn Watterdal, Co-Editor, EENET Asia
- Questionnaire – Food for Though – distributed and interviews held by Ms. Hina Mohammad Ali Sharfuddin
- Presentation of the “Embracing Diversity – UNESCO/UNICEF Toolkit for Creating Inclusive, Learning-Friendly Environments” by Ms. Khalida Ahmed, Education Section, UNICEF
- Presentation by Prof. Dr. Abdul Hameed, Chairman, Department of Special Education, University of the Punjab
- Discussion chaired by Prof. Dr. Abdul Hameed, Chairman, Department of Special Education, University of the Punjab
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2nd day; Friday 1st September 2006
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| First Plenary Session from 09:00 to 10:30 |
| 09:00 to 10:30 |
Situation of special education at federal and provincial level –
Targets, achievements, requirements and problems – Seen from a
users perspective |
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- Chaired by Mr. Abdul Mannan, Director of Special Education, Directorate, General of Special Education, Government of Pakistan
- Presentation by Mr. Abdul Baseer, Senior Educator , Government Institute for the Blind, Peshawar, Northwest Frontier Province [NWFP]
- Presentation by Mr. Sanaullah Mari, General Secretary, Association of Disabled Persons, Kolu, Balochistan
- Presentation by Mr. Qari Gulzar, Vice President, Pakistan Association of the Blind [PAB], Punjab Provincial Chapter, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab
- Presentation by Ms. Ester Jane, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF], Karachi, Sindh
- Discussion
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| Tea Break from 10:30 to 11:00 |
| Second Plenary Session from 11:00 to 12:30 |
| 11:00 to 12:30 |
Role and responsibilities of international agencies towards promotion
inclusion and special needs education |
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- Chaired by Mr. Shahid Ahmed Memon, Chairman, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF]
- Presentation by Mr. Terje Magnussønn Watterdal, Senior Partner, IDP Norway
- Presentation by Mr. Khalid Naeem, Director, Federal Ministry of Special Education and Social Welfare
- Presentation by Dr. Laeeq Mirza, Ex-Principal, Government Institute of Special Education, Psychiatrists, Shifa International, Islamabad
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| Lunch and Namaz-e-Juma from 12.30 to 14.00 |
| Third Plenary Session from 14:00 to 15:30 |
| 14:00 to 15:30 |
Inclusion and Special Education – Challenges and Opportunities
within Tertiary Education Programmes |
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- Chaired by Mr. Shahid Ahmed Memon, Chairman, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF]
- Presentation by Prof. Dr. Abdul Hameed, Chairman, Department of Special Education, University of the Punjab, Lahore
- Presentation by Prof. Dr. Mahmood Awan, Chairman, Department of Special Education, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad
- Presentation by Ms. Samina Ashraf, Department of Special Education, University of the Punjab, Lahore
- Presentation by Ms. Darakhshan, Special Educator, Shaheed-e-Millat Special Education Centre, Karachi [under the Directorate General Special Education]
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| Tea Break from 15:30 to 16:00 |
| Fourth Plenary Session from 16:00 to 17:30 |
| 16:00 to 17:30 |
Promotion of Braille literacy and Braille production |
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- Chaired by Mr. Khalid Hussain Bhatti, Ex-Technical Expert World Blind Union and President, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF] Islamabad
- Mr. Ikhlaq, Punjab Braille Press, Government of Punjab
- Mr. Maqbool Ahmed, National Book Foundation, Braille Press Karachi, Federal Ministry of Education
- Mr. Shahid Rasheed, National Braille Press Islamabad, Directorate General of Special Education
- Miss Shakila Yasmin, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF]
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3rd day: Saturday 2nd September 2006
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| First Plenary Session from 09:00 to 10:30 |
| 09:00 to 10:30 |
Open Session for the Views of Participants |
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- Chaired by Mr. Shahid Rasheed, Senior Braille Proof Reader, National Braille Press, Islamabad
- Views expressed by Mr. Mustafa Member, Pakistan Association of the Blind [PAB] Faisalabad & Staff Agricultural University Faisalabad
- Views expressed by Ms. Gulnar, Ex-Educator, DEVA Academy, Karachi
- Views expressed by Ms. Rabaia Kulsoom, Al-Maktoom Special Education Centre, Islamabad
- Views expressed by Mr. Naseem Ahmed, Computer Instructor, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF] and Quaid-e-Azam Academy for Disabled Persons, Karachi
- Views expressed by Ms. Shamma, Resource and Training Centre, Hyderabad
- Views expressed by Mr. Rehan, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF], Multan
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| Tea Break from 10:30 to 11:00 |
| Second Plenary Session from 11:00 to 12:30 |
| 11:00 to 12:30 |
Challenges and Opportunities in Special Education |
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- Chaired by Ms. Feroza, Retired Senior Officer, Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education
- The role and importance of self-help moment and consumer of the services towards the achievement of overall goals of special education at different level by Mr. Khalid Hussain Bhatti, Ex-Technical Expert World Blind Union and Chairman, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF], Islamabad
- Importance and utilization of specialised techniques and technology for visually handicapped, their requirements and problems by Mr. Javaid Akhter, Technical and Skills Development Experts, Ex-expert Norwegian Association of the Blind [NABP] Programme, Karachi
- Situation and role of blind teachers as an examiner and paper checker by Mr. Fareed Aamla, Jinnah Government College for Men, Karachi
- Educational problems and requirements of visually and otherwise handicapped in rural and remote area by Ms. Salma Khatoon, Senior Instructor and General Secretary, Himmat Welfare Trust, Atak
- Situation of special education at federal and provincial levels (Targets, achievements, problems and requirements) by Mr. Liaqat Abbasi, Vice Principal, Qandeel Government Institute for the Blind
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| Lunch and Prayer from 12.30 to 14.00 |
| Third Plenary Session from 14:00 to 15:30 |
| 14:00 to 15:30 |
Discussion on recommendation and summing up conducted by Mr.
Shahid Ahmed Memon. |
| Tea Break from 15:30 to 16:00 |
| Concluding Session from 16:00 to 17.30 |
| 16:00 to 17:30 |
Concluding Session and Closing Ceremony |
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- Chaired by Mr. Shahid Ahmed Memon, Chairman, Pakistan Disabled Foundation [PDF]
- Recitation from the Holy Quran
- Naat
- Presentation and approval of the Recommendations
- Views and Comments on the Conference from Mr. Terje Magnussønn Watterdal, Senior Partner, IDP Norway
- Views and Comments on the Conference from Prof. Rafique Tahir Director of Training, Federal Directorate of Education, Islamabad
- Distribution of award for participants from all four provinces
- Closing Address from the Chief Guest, Mr. Raees Jahangir, Chairman, National Council of Social Welfare, Government of Pakistan
- Thanks
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Khalid Hussain Bhatti
Secretary of the Organising Committee |
