Children with disabilities express concern

Children with disabilities in the Maldives have expressed concern on the street today, regarding the possible loss of the opportunity for them to obtain an education.

The gathering by the children and their parents was held outside Care Development Centre (CDC) this afternoon.

The students of CDC, which is operated by Care Society, expressed concern regarding the failure by relevant authorities to heed the issue of expiry of the rent contract at the end of May 2013, for the centre located at M. Fiyaathoshimaage.

Director of Care Society Shidhatha Shareef told Sun Online today that similar activities will be held until a new location for the school for children with disabilities is guaranteed.

“We have discussed the matter with the relevant government authorities, ministers, president’s office. There’s still no positive response,” she said.

Shidhatha said that CDC is the only school for children with all types of disabilities, and that the school may have to be closed by the end of May. She said that Care Society, being an NGO, does not have the funds or the the capability to operate a school in rented premises.

CDC currently has 43 students and over 600 people registered as people with disabilities.

Research shows that eight percent of Maldivian children suffer from disabilities.