Karachi (HRNW)- The Sindh government and Aga Khan University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth more than Rs439.2 million to promote quality education and teacher training for children with special needs.
The agreement was signed under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who said that providing equal opportunities for quality education and development to every child without discrimination is among the government’s top priorities. He described the establishment of a comprehensive education system for children with special needs as a significant milestone in social development.
Under the agreement, a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit will be established at Aga Khan University to serve as a center for teacher training, research, policy development, and innovation in special education. The Chief Minister said the partnership is not merely an agreement but a strategic initiative to empower persons with special needs.
Aga Khan University President Dr. Suleman Shahabuddin said that equal educational opportunities for children with special needs are essential for social development and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to working with the Sindh government to strengthen inclusive education.
During the signing ceremony, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), Taha Ahmed Farooqui, briefed participants on the objectives of the five-year agreement. He said the initiative will focus on special education, teacher training, research, public awareness, institutional capacity building, and policy support.
Officials said the total value of the agreement exceeds Rs439.2 million, with the Sindh government contributing Rs278.5 million and Aga Khan University contributing more than Rs166.6 million.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the initiative reflects the Sindh government’s commitment to building a province where every child is valued, every student is empowered, and every citizen enjoys equal opportunities for development. He emphasized that the inclusion and empowerment of persons with special needs remain central to the government’s human development agenda.
He praised Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (IED) for its internationally recognized work in teacher training, educational research, innovation, and policymaking, calling it an ideal partner in strengthening Sindh’s education system.
The Chief Minister said the initiative would help enable persons with special needs to participate fully and with dignity in society and could serve as a model for inclusive education across Pakistan. He also reaffirmed the government’s continued support for welfare initiatives and paid tribute to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Aga Khan University for their commitment to improving educational opportunities for children with special needs.
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