Children at Quetta's Complex for Special Education eager to embrace new technology

June 4, 2001

On 4th June 2001, SDNP Quetta conducted its second workshop on 'The basic use of Internet and Email' for deaf and dumb children and their teachers of the Complex for Special Education, at Quetta's Serena Hotel. This is an institute where education is given to physically challenged, deaf, dumb and mentally retarded children. There were 53 participants among whom there were 5 teachers and 48 deaf and dumb children.

SDNP Quetta's City Coordinator, Mr. Jan Muhammad highlighted the role of IUCN/SDNP in promoting ICT's for development, their use for environmental awareness and information exchange with the 'global village'. The Provincial Secretary for Culture and Information Technology, Government of Balochistan, Mr. Mohammad Ayub Baloch, was the chief guest on the occasion. In his speech, he appreciated IUCN/SDNP's initiative in paying attention to this special sector which needs more attention than others. Mr. Nadir Gul elaborated upon IUCN Pakistan's role in facilitating Pakistan and the provinces in formulating the National, Balochistan and Sarhad Conservation Strategies. The workshop was extensively covered by the local electronic and print media.

The first session was then handed over to Ms. Zarin Syed, who introduced the Internet to the eager participants with the help of a multimedia presentation to facilitate communication. A teacher and a student of the institute took part in explaining the concepts through sign language. The online session consisted of connecting to the web, browsing different sites like IUCN's 'education' site and especially the "Kids Corner", news sites like Jang and Dawn, and Yahooligans for Kids.

The principal of the Complex for Special Education Mr. Rahim Baloch appreciated SDNP's efforts in imparting such useful knowledge to their faculty and students.