ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General Special Education, which was transferred to Ministry of Education three months ago from ministry of human rights, has only 1,600 students in its all 133 centre while it has 658 employees.

Reports say the institution has no fuel to run their busses for pick and drop of the 1,600 special children enrolled in special education centre while no funds were available to pay the electricity, gas, and water bills.

The reports said training centre of G-9 for special persons and special education centre for hearing impaired opened on January 9 after the winter break but with very meager attendance in the absence of pick and drop facility. Moreover, no funds are available to pay the electricity, gas, and water bills.

However, education ministry, which was approached on Thursday by Dawn, in writing rejected the reports on Friday.

“There is shortage of funds but the crisis has not taken alarming turn as neither the pick and drop facility for students was being withdrawn. nor are the utilities being disconnected as payments have been made after the current quarter releases and case for additional funds is under process,” education ministry claimed in its written reply.

The ministry said that it was given administrative control of special education a few months ago. Ministry said that survey of the special children was conducted with the help Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and NGOs and a drive for new enrollment has been started.

“The funds were surrendered previous years and hence there is a shortage of funds,” read the statement.

It also pointed out earlier, employees would not attend office as a practice. The housing colony and community centres were in shambles and windows, doors, electric wires and other fittings of the buildings were stolen causing loss to the government exchequer.

After strict directions by the education minister and federal secretary, the statement said: “employees were told to adhere to office timings.

When contacted, Federal Secretary Education Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said that he was told that officers concernedof special education directorate told him that neither electricity is being disconnected nor bus facility has been stopped.

“Since, we got this directorate just three months ago, we are going to pay special focus on it. I have also directed for third party audit of this directorate,” he said and added that best facilities would be provided to special children and required funds would also be provided to this directorate on priority basis.

“Special children deserve special attention and soon, people will see improvement in all centres of special education. We will start special drive to enhance enrollment,” he said.

To a query, the secretary confirmed that current enrollment is 1,600 in all 133 centres while directorate has 658 employees.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2025