<i>Rafiq's school for challenged kids assured of more help </i>
Visually impaired Rafiqul Bari encourages physically challenged Touhid Islam, 10, to write with his toes at Rafiqul 's school for the challenged children in Ghatail upazila under Tangail district.Photo: STAR
The deputy commissioner (DC) of Tangail has assured extending all kinds of help for smooth running of Welfare Centre for the Challenged Ones, an institution meant for free schooling and vocational training for children with different disabilities, in Ghatail upazila under the district. Himself a visually impaired, former cotton mill worker Rafiqul Bari Khan founded the centre in 2003. "Rafiqul Bari has proved that the disabled children are not burden for the society and they can lead normal life if they get a little care and some training," said DC M Bazlul Karim Chowdhury as he visited the school along with officials of local administration and Shaheed Salahuddin Cantonment in Ghatail yesterday. The disabled children will have to be brought to the main stream of the society, he said, adding that the guardians should not ignore their disabled children and take them to school regularly. "The district administration will provide necessary help to build a hostel for the students and arrange necessary training for their teachers. The district administration will do everything for the school with the coordination of local lawmaker,” he said. He directed upazila nirbahi officer, upazila social welfare officer and upazila education officer to find out all problems and requirements of the school and submit a report to him shortly so that he can take early action to solve those. Meanwhile, school founder Rafiqul Bari Khan is now under treatment of Neurologist Dr Imrul Hasan Robi, an associate professor of Mymensingh Medical College, as right portion of his body got paralysed after he suffered a mild brain stroke a few months ago. “I have established the school with the help of others to do something for the children with challenges in the area. I hope some of the well wishers will take responsibility of the school after my death,” Rafiqul said. Authorities of Shaheed Salahuddin Cantonment in Ghatail earlier provided a vehicle and monetary help to the school and continue their support for the institution in future, said Majedur Rahman Khan, executive officer of the cantonment. All students of the school got textbooks on January 1, said Ghatail upazila education officer Masud Rana. Earlier, the DC distributed warm cloths to the students of the school and talked to their guardians.
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