Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has announced an ambitious initiative to establish 300 Special Education Schools as Centers of Excellence across Punjab. This announcement was made during a special education ceremony dedicated to the provision of hearing aids and the launch of an enrollment campaign for out-of-school special children.

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In a heartfelt gesture, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif left her official seat to sit among the special children, even holding one in her lap. Her engagement didn’t stop there; she visited a UNICEF and GPE-supported stall where hearing aids were being distributed, monitored medical tests for children with hearing impairments, and admired the handicrafts and paintings created by the special children.

The ceremony saw the students of Special Education Sargodha presenting the CM with a painting and a sketch, a gesture that deeply moved her. “They are my dear children, all are my heroes,” she said, expressing her gratitude to UNICEF, GPE, and the Special Education department for their support.

Highlighting the resilience and determination of these children, the CM stated, “Doing something with everything at your disposal is easier, but these heroes do wonders despite facing difficulties. They cannot climb stairs but come to school, cannot hear but still come to school, and they are the real heroes.”

The Chief Minister formally launched the enrollment campaign for out-of-school special children and personally distributed hearing aids to several children, including Mehwish Mumtaz, Muhammad Hammad, Ghulam Farid, Farman Ali, and Ume Emain. The event featured recitations of the Holy Quran and Naat-e-Rasool (SAW) by special children, and a national anthem performance by visually impaired female students.

UNICEF representative Abdullah Fadil and Secretary of Special Education also addressed the gathering. Demonstrating her inclusive approach, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif invited the special children to sit on the stage and delivered her speech from among them, rather than from a traditional dais.

She announced the future establishment of special education schools in every district, promising international quality facilities. Additionally, she committed to setting up a specialized institution for autism and launching a project to provide wheelchairs, encouraging those in need to directly request assistance from her office.

“Meeting these children has increased my commitment to their service from 100 percent to 1000 percent,” she stated. “May Allah Almighty bestow upon us the will to fulfill the essential needs of these special children and grant me the courage to fulfill their dreams.”

The event was also attended by notable figures including Senator Pervez Rashid, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Information Azma Zahid Bokhari, Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique, Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik, Assembly Members, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Zafar Daal, and various other secretaries and officials.

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