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Mainstream schools for Down's Syndrome kids

DUBAI — Beginning with the new academic session in September, children with Down's Syndrome will be able to attend mainstream schools following a verbal approval for this facility by the Minister of Health.

The Minister has also directed a special committee to conduct a detailed study in this connection, according to Dr Manal Jarour, member of UAE Down's Syndrome Support Group and the Group Medical Committee Coordinator.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr Manal said, “From the next academic session, children with Down's Syndrome can join kindergarten classes. This is the best thing to happen to these children, because till now, we were facing serious problems with regard to their education.”

“Until now, there was no provision under any law for these children to be admitted to mainstream schools. It was left to the whims of the school administration whether or not to give them admission,” she explained.

During the first UAE Down's Syndrome Forum held at Rashid Hospital yesterday, Dr Manal said that from Saturday, a committee will be working on getting all necessary appraisals, including the curriculum, in place. “We should not have any major problems because there are only a handful of such cases in the UAE.

Meanwhile, Sandra Willis, Project Manager, The Education Council, Government of Dubai, also said the authorities concerned are looking at ways to induct those with Down's Syndrome into the normal education system. “This is only possible by altering the existing policies regulating our education system,” she said.

Dr Mohammed Zuhair Mahmandar, Head of the Medical Committee and Specialist Pediatrics and Neonatologist at the Department of Health and Medical Services and Board member of Down's Syndrome International, said the UAE, at present, has no statistical details about people suffering from this dreaded malady. He said, “The ratio of children born with DS is 1/800 live births internationally, but in the UAE, this forum has initiated the first step regarding the (voluntary) collection of such data.”