Jamia to double students in Child Guidance Center

New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) In keeping with the its commitment to provide education to disabled and poor children, the Jamia Millia Islamia University has decided to double the number of students in its Child Guidance center (CGC) and engage more specially trained teachers and counsellors.

Children with varying degree of disability -- mental and physical -- belonging to the poorest, most disenfranchised and disempowered sections of society are enrolled in the CGC, set up in 1980 and run out of a small corner of the school building on the campus.

''This is in keeping with the University's commitment to seek greater engagement with those who live in its neighbourhood and provide ways and means in which it can better meet the needs of those who live in its catchment area, especially those who are unable to voice their demands and have no groups lobbying for them,'' a University spokesperson said.

The CGC, engaged in several community outreach projects, at present has 20 students -- with varying degrees of disability from severe mental retardation to learning disabilities to speech impediments.

The University has also decided to construct the CGC building and enhance the facilities besides, it hopes to set up an orphanage and a shelter for abused women and girls, she said.

''Shortly, a brand new CGC building will be constructed near the Jamia Archives in the School Campus at a cost of about Rs 56.50 lakh,'' she added.

Approximately Rs five lakh was collected through donations by the general public. The Jamia Teachers' Association has provided Rs 1.15 lakh collected through voluntary deductions from teachers' salaries, the spokesperson said.

''Since the amount was still insufficient for the sort of expansion plans being envisaged for the CGC, the University dipped into its own resources,'' she added.

The Center is being designed by Jamai's own Faculty of Architecture.

Constructed over a 450 sq m area, the new building will have a Special education Room, Counselling Rooms, ENT Specialists' room, facility for speech therapy, two large classrooms and a space for interaction and group activities.

UNI