Deaf students demand basic education facilities

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Teachers of the Herat Vocational High School for deaf complain about the lack of professional instructors and other facilities.

Principal Abdul Latif Hssanyar told Pajhwok Afghan News graduates from the school had to go to Kabul every year to sit an entry test there — a serious problem for the deaf.

Hassanyar said: “There is a shortage of education facilities at this school for deaf students. Basic education materials are not available here.”

According to the principal, the school is located in the Herat education department building. This impedes teaching and affects administrative work of the high school.

Students of the school, which lacks the required facilities, should be taught with the help of visual aids and gestures.

Nasir Frotan, a resident of the province, told Pajhwok society’s view of and attitude toward the deaf should change.

Toryalai Mohammadi, a teacher at the school, said his students had extraordinary talent and abilities. But their skills were not appreciated by society, he regretted.

He explained the students, who had graduated from the school, had enough skills in terms of sewing, graphics and computer literacy. But considering social problems, there were also concerns for the further of their work.

Fatima, another teacher of this center, while confirming Mohammadi’s version, told Pajhwok that she learned sign language in the school and currently serving as teacher in this school.

He added the students were very kin to learn the language and they would be able to solve their problems in the society.

Mohammad, one of the hearing-impaired students, said it was difficult for him to travel to Kabul for participation in the entrance exam in such a difficult situation.

He urged the government to provide them with more facilities in the province.

The Herat Vocational High School for Deaf was established in the solar year 1387.

sa/mud

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