JORAN: Jordan's King Abdullah and Queen Rania visit the Kingdom's only public school for the blind

Jordan's King Abdullah and Queen Rania visit the Kingdom's only public school for the blind as part of their tour of local institutions during the month of Ramadan. Jordan's King Abdullah and Queen Rania visited the Kingdom's only public school for the blind as part of a tour conducted during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, during which they visit various projects and centres for the underprivileged. Abdullah Bin Um Maktoum School for the blind was established in 1969 and teaches blind elementary children braille prior to integrating them into normal public schools. It also has a printing unit, established in 1993, to print school reading materials for blind children. The king and queen visited the different departments of the school and were briefed on the activities of the school and the services that it offers to people with special needs. According to blind Arabic language teacher Ali Seyam, the school was pleased with the Royal visit, which faculty hope will shed light on the deficiencies in the school, such as over-crowding and lack of resources. "We found out that his highness, may God lengthen his life, is coming today. The school, the building and classrooms, is small, and there are equipment and extra curricular materials that the children need like a braille printers so that they can write and read. In addition, we need exercise equipment for their hands and fingers, and other physiological equipment," he said. Earlier this year, the king and queen of Jordan inaugurated several health, social and educational projects including a fully equipped rehabilitation centre, which serves 1,000 people with disabilities in Amman's Deir Alla district. Ramadan is known as the month of charity when Muslims around the world aspire to fulfill their religious and charitable obligations.

ITN Source | October 3, 2007

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