SCAC in Mongar Dzongkhag
Today,
the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee held consultative meetings with
Mongar Middle Secondary School and Local Government leaders from Mongar,
Saling, Gongdue, and Silambi Gewogs.
The morning session involved discussions on the review on the state of Persons with Disabilities with the Principal, Special Education Teachers, and parent representatives of Mongar Middle Secondary School.
Mongar
Middle Secondary School has been operating as an Inclusive education school
since 2009.
Currently, the school has 919 students, with 37 students with disabilities who are pursuing inclusive education and 10 inclusive teachers.
As
the only inclusive school in Mongar, parents and teachers expressed their
concerns on the lack of transitioning options, absence of disability friendly
bathrooms, ramps and access to classrooms as well as the need for housing
facilities for families close to the school.
The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the committee toured the school campus to assess the available facilities and resources.
In the afternoon, the committee convened a meeting with the Local Government leaders from Mongar, Saling, Gongdue, and Silambi Gewogs and Dzongkhag officials. The committee shared the highlights of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2019.
The Local Government leaders requested the Government to keep them informed about policy documents being uploaded on the website, as they often are unaware of such updates. They also expressed concern whether programmes for PWDs could still be included in the 13th Five Year plan at the Local Government levels.
Next, the committee will visit Mongar Regional Referral Hospital and meet healthcare providers and then travel to Trongsa Dzongkhag.
