By Taziz Hasairi.
Tripoli, 2 January 2014:
The first school in Zuwara to cater to children with . . .[restrict]disabilities has opened.
The Najmi Algandouz School, named after a local social activist involved in helping disabled children and who died not long ago, started its first classes last Monday. It is being run by a charity organisation of the same name.
Many of the 27 children attending the school, which is being funded by the Ministry of Education, are suffering from autism or have psychological disorders. All are locals, except for two Iraqi children. The age range is from 5 years to 12 years when they are expected to move on to local normal schools.
The biggest issue is helping children with psychological problems or with autism, according to the founder of the “Intissar Anaal” charity, is that many parents of such children are in denial. Others have been sending their children to private schools in Tripoli.
The eight teachers at the school were given specialist training in Janzour for a year. Most majored in psychology or sociology.
The school building is rented by the Ministry of Education. Daily classes include pronunciation, social integration and competency. [/restrict]
