National Initiatives which Promote the Access to Education, Training and Lifelong Learning for People with Disabilities - Pakistan

Source: Government of Pakistan

• Specialized Training Programmes
  • National Institute of Special Education (NISE)
  • National Training Centre for the Disabled (NTCD)
• Rehabilitation Services
  • National and Provincial Councils for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons
  • National and Provincial Trusts for the Disabled
  • Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Fund

Specialised training programmes

Specialized training programmes in selected skills are provided for moderately and severely disabled persons at federal and provincial levels.

National Institute of Special Education (NISE)

The NISE was established in 1986 with the following objectives:

• Develop a manpower training programme in special education by organizing short- and long-term courses;
• Collaborate with universities and international agencies;
• Develop and publish materials for guiding special education teachers, parents and other professionals;
• Promote research activities;
• Establish standard policies on the admission, assessment and placement of children with disabilities into the special education programmes countrywide;
• Develop a curriculum for special education;
• Evaluate the children’s educational progress.

National Training Centre for the Disabled (NTCD)

The National Training Centre for the Disabled (NTCD) conducts specialized skills training programmes. NTCD objectives are to:

• Provide vocational training and rehabilitation services: training is conducted on skills in welding, bench fitting (machinists), knitting, tailoring and making electrical and electronic equipment;
• Facilitate and provide placement services;
• Educate the community about the contributions of disabled persons to society;
• Help the people with disabilities contribute to, and become productive members of society.

Besides the NTCD, two vocational training centres, which offer the same services, have also been established in Karachi and Lahore.

Rehabilitation services

National and Provincial Councils for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons

Overall, the National Council, which was established in 1982, is responsible for formulating policies on the employment and rehabilitation of disabled persons and these plans are carried out by the provincial councils. According to the Disabled Persons' Employment and Rehabilitation Ordinance, 1981, the councils have the following functions:

The National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons shall:

1. formulate policy for the employment, rehabilitation and welfare of the disabled persons;
2. evaluate, assess and co-ordinate the execution of its policy by the Provincial Councils; and
3. has overall responsibility for the achievement of the purposes of this Ordinance.

The policy may relate to:

1. the survey of the disabled persons in the country who are desirous of being rehabilitated;
2. the medical examination and treatment of the disabled persons;
3. the providing of training to the disabled persons;
4. the taking of such other measures as are necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance.

Subject to any directions given by the National Council the Provincial Councils shall:

1. execute the policy made by the National Council for the employment, rehabilitation and welfare of the disabled persons;
2. undertake appropriate projects for these purposes;
3. issue directions to the Employment Exchanges and other bodies for the implementation of the projects; and
4. from time to time take stock of the extent of functional disabilities of disabled persons.

The Provincial Council shall arrange for the training of disabled persons in such trades or vocations as it thinks fit, and shall establish training centres in such trades or vocations and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Provincial Government.

National and Provincial Trusts for the Disabled

The National Trust for the Disabled (NTD) was established under Pakistan’s Charitable Endowment Act and is headed by the Prime Minister. Its Executive Committee, led by the Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, and the chief ministers of all the four provinces, is responsible for forming the policies of the NTD. Under the supervision of the Committee, a managing director is responsible for running NTD’s day-to-day operations and implementing its policies.

NTD’s aims include the following, to:

• Establish model institutions for the care, education and rehabilitation of people with disabilities;
• Prescribe and undertake specialized training programmes for people with disabilities;
• Conduct research on the nature and extent of the problems faced by people with disabilities at the national level;
• Arrange financial assistance and advisory services for individuals and families;
• Deal with, and enter into agreements with, national or international organizations in special education.

The NTD has claimed success in establishing three special education­multi-purpose complexes for people with disabilities at Naushahroferoze, Orangi Town in Karachi, and Mianwali.

These complexes in the rural and slum areas are providing services such as early identification of disability, treatment, specialized education, training and rehabilitation.

At Nausharoferoze, the centre started as a rural set-up and was housed in a building acquired with the help of the Government of Sindh. It is now being modernized into model institution. Construction of a purpose built premise is now ongoing and will be completed by 1997 at a cost of Rs18 million.

The special education complex in Orangi Town, Karachi, is a purpose-built centre, and is housed on rented premises. At Mianwali, the special education complex is housed in a rented building and has the state-of-the-art equipment and a skilled team to impart education and training to children with disabilities.

Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Fund

Established by the Disabled Persons' Employment and Rehabilitation Ordinance, 1981, the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Fund comprises:

1. all sums paid by the establishment that do not meet the one per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities;
2. all grants, if any, made by the Federal Government, Provincial Governments or local bodies; and
3. donations, if any, made by private individuals.

The Fund is administered by the National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons which  makes such allocations to the Provincial Councils as it thinks necessary.

The Fund is used for the following purposes:

1. the establishment of training centres for disabled persons;
2. financial assistance to disabled persons who are not fit to undertake any employment;
3. disbursement of stipends or scholarships to disabled persons receiving training;
4. the welfare of disabled persons; and
5. providing artificial limbs, surgical therapy and medical treatment to disabled persons.

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