Education Min.: leadership's support for development projects helps disabilities

KUWAIT, May 8 (KUNA) -- Minister of Education Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei affirmed Thursday that the unwavering support of the wise political leadership serves as a cornerstone in advancing development projects aimed at empowering individuals with hearing impairments and reinforcing their active participation in society.
This came in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Kuwaiti Deaf Day Forum, held under his patronage under the theme "The Deaf's Scream... and Kuwait Vision 2035," organized by the Women's Institute for Development and Peace at the Arab Center for Educational Research for the Gulf States.
The Minister underlined the leadership's vision, inspired by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as guiding the nation's inclusive development approach.
He noted that since the establishment of the first specialized school for the hearing impaired in the academic year 1959-1960, known as (Al-Amal Schools), Kuwait has shown a deep and continued commitment to supporting persons with disabilities and ensuring their educational and social rights.
Al-Tabtabaei reaffirmed the Ministry's dedication to enhancing the educational system to ensure quality outcomes, in line with international obligations, particularly those stemming from Kuwait's accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and other relevant international consensuses.
Al-Tabbtabai commended the artistic talents and inspiring creativity of students from special education schools, who demonstrated that determination and perseverance can overcome any obstacle, proving that challenges are no barrier to excellence.
On her part, President of the Women's Institute for Development and Peace Dr. Kawthar Al-Jouan, emphasized the importance of supporting individuals with hearing impairments, who, despite lacking spoken language, continue to contribute with determination, achievement, and generosity. She highlighted the need for recognizing their legal capacity and full inclusion within society.
Dr. Al-Jouan explained that the forum discusses four major pillars, educational, legal, health, and social, and called for the integration of sign language into all levels of education, alongside other second languages, to foster inclusivity and development.
She further urged that individuals with hearing impairments be granted full freedom in choosing academic disciplines and subjects at Kuwait University and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), and be given equal access to international scholarships and medical treatment abroad when unavailable locally.
Meanwhile, Director of the Moderation Center at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Abdullah Al-Shurayka, said that the forum reflects Kuwait's noble image in supporting humanitarian causes and protecting human rights. He lauded the Minister of Education's attendance and dedication to this important segment of society and to broader educational reform.
The Forum's attendees included Director of the Arab Center for Educational Research for the Gulf States Dr. Mohammad Al-Shurayka, Director of the Special Education Schools Department Abdulaziz Al-Ajmi, as well as the ambassadors of Indonesia and Turkiye, and Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mazen Aboualhasan. (end) mar.hr.bb