Bahrain's Education Minister inaugurates programmes for students with special needs

Manama, Dec. 19 (BNA): Education Minister, Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, today inaugurated the first phase of the ministry’s programme to teach slow learners which is implemented in 35 schools, and the second phase of its programme to use technology in teaching students with learning disabilities, which raises the number of schools implementing it to 64. This came as the minister patronised a ceremony held by the Education Ministry at the Busaiteen Primary Girls School to highlight its success stories in implementing its policy to integrate students with special needs in government schools. Education Ministry’s officials, students from integration schools, institutes and rehabilitation centres, teachers and parents also attended. The minister said that the inauguration of the new programme targeting slow learners, and eth expansion of the other on enhancing the use of technology in teaching students with learning disabilities is part of the kingdom’s pioneering experience in providing suitable educational services for all students, including those with special needs, in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to provide educational services that help the students to improve their academic achievements. He highlighted the outstanding results achieved by the 81 integration schools, citing the success in integrating 115 autistic students. He asserted that the two programmes are among the most distinguished at the international level as they deliver quality educational services to students with special needs. The minister was also informed about samples of the educational services provided by integration services and their positive impact on the level of the students. Dr. Al-Nuaimi was also informed about the "Seed of Giving" project through which students with mental disability and Down syndrome are provided with agricultural skills. Then, the minister crowned the winning schools of the quintet football championship for secondary students with special needs.