Opening of the first government school specialized in teaching the blind in Ma'rib Governorate

Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Ali Al-Abab opened, on Tuesday, Mashael Al-Nour School as the first government school specialized in teaching blind students in Ma'rib Governorate.

According to Saba News Agency, the Deputy Minister was briefed on the education and teaching process for the blind, whether using Braille or other educational tools for the blind.

He listened to an explanation from the school principal and teachers about the needs of the school, which is affiliated with the governorate’s education office, most notably a special school building and a means of transportation for the blind.

According to the school director, in its first founding year, it was able to accommodate 20 blind male and female students in the first grade in two classes, out of 50 blind male and female students of school age that it was unable to accommodate.

Dr. Al-Abab expressed his happiness at the opening of this edifice, which is considered the nucleus of a specialized school for teaching the blind in the governorate, enabling them to join the education train, highlight their abilities, challenge their disability in building their capabilities, and help them integrate into society, practice their normal lives, achieve their ambitions, and unleash their creativity and energies in the service of their country and society.

He pointed out that the Education Office provided the school with a number of employment contracts for teachers, in addition to bearing the costs of renting the current temporary school, until the completion of construction of the school’s classrooms, which are in addition to another school that was opened last year for people with special needs, such as the deaf and mute.

It is noteworthy that Yemen has witnessed a significant increase in the number of blind people, as a result of genetic factors and the economic deterioration that the country has been witnessing since the Houthi coup against the state, and the impact of this on society in various fields.

The war and the increase in the number of displaced people in the governorate have also led to an increase in the number of blind students. Opening this school is one of the most important solutions to address the situation of the blind in the governorate, which includes more than two million displaced people.