CM increases annual grant of Ida Rieu School to Rs15m

The Sindh government’s annual grant for the Ida Rieu School for the Blind and Deaf will be raised from Rs10 million to Rs15 million.

Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar made this announcement as he addressed the opening ceremony of the inclusive Youth Parliament at the school on Monday. He also announced that he would provide three pianos to the school specifically for children with disabilities.

President of Ida Rieu Welfare Association Nadira Panjwani, Secretary of the Department of Differently-Abled Persons Taha Farooqi and others were present on the occasion. Justice (retd) Baqar said the Ida Rieu School had been doing a great service for the cause of education of differently-abled children, due to which he had decided to increase its grant from Rs10 million to Rs15 million.

The CM watched differently-abled children playing the piano. As four children had only one piano to play, he promised to donate three more pianos to the school. He appreciated the role of the Ida Rieu School in educating blind and deaf children. He said the Youth Parliament was aimed at empowering diverse young voices for an inclusive Pakistan. “I can see that it is inspired by the vision and mission of the Ida Rieu Welfare Association, which has been serving the cause of persons with disabilities for over a century”.

The CM remarked that the Ida Rieu Welfare Association endeavoured for providing quality education and rehabilitation services to the differently-abled, empowering them and ensuring inclusiveness and equality. The Ida Rieu was playing a lead role in creating a more accessible and equitable Pakistan, he added.

He said the Youth Parliament was an opportunity to celebrate pluralism. He added that diversity also came with challenges and responsibilities and it was necessary to ensure that all the Pakistani citizens enjoyed equal rights, opportunities and benefits in every aspect of life.

He remarked that this initiative would have a strong impact as it would help the participants understand the legislative process, and let them study and debate the current laws and collaborate to suggest solutions for a stronger Pakistan.

He said that the draft policy solutions prepared by the Ida Rieu would help us understand the perspective of youth, their vision for an inclusive and strong Pakistan, and how they wanted their vision to be implemented.

Justice (retd) Baqar urged the Ida Rieu Youth Parliament participants to participate actively in this event with enthusiasm, curiosity, and respect.

“Do not be afraid to ask questions, to share your views, to disagree politely, or to agree constructively, and do not be shy to listen attentively, to learn something new, to appreciate someone else's contribution, or to acknowledge their achievement,” he advised.