By: Mariam Abu Bakr
CAIRO: Helwan University, Cairo, will exempt students with special needs from accommodation expenses, as declared by Vice President of Helwan University and Student Affairs Samir Eldemerdash, Monday.
Minister of Education Moheb Refae also decided Aug. 6 to renew the exemption of students with special needs from paying elementary school fees, according to a statement issued by the ministry.
Other measures have been implemented to advance special needs support in Egypt including the support of their employment procedures according to the decision of the Council of Ministers President No. 4248 of 1998 as well as the equipment of the parliament with wheelchairs and the approval of 6.5 million EGP (US $943,000) to finance special needs centers in Asyut, Fayoum, Wadi Gedid, South Sinai and Ismailia in 2013/2014.
“Advancing the special needs support is of the president’s top priorities and important steps have been taken including the four cities that will be built for persons with special needs and the 10 buses that will be equipped for them. However, we still have a long way before being among the top Arab countries that support persons with special needs,” Member of Consultancy Committee of the Governmental National Council for Disabilities Affair National Director Amal Mobadda said to CairoPost.