News & Event

The Ministry of Education, represented by the Directorate-General of Special Education and Continuous Education, organized an event to mark World Down Syndrome Day, under the theme "Developing Our Support Systems," which falls on March 21 of each year. The event was attended by specialists and teachers of people with disabilities, students, and parents, and was held at the Intellectual Education School.

The event included an exhibition of student companies’ products in special education schools that varied between handicrafts, sewing, technology, nutrition and health, decoration, care and beauty, arts and drawing, among others. A video clip titled "Once Upon a Time" was shown, which showcases the services provided by the Intellectual Education School to students in a narrative style. Two working papers were also presented, the first of which was titled “Educational Services for People with Disabilities in Special Education Schools in the Sultanate of Oman,” presented by Najma Al-Rahbi, Head of the Educational Activities and Vocational Guidance Department. The paper touched on the programs provided by the Ministry to care for people with disabilities in the Sultanate of Oman by establishing specialized schools to provide quality educational services for each category of disability (mental, hearing, and visual), and creating specialized programs that provide quality educational services to students with disabilities in public, basic, and private schools. These include: the Learning Difficulties Program, the Integration Program for People with Mental and Hearing Disabilities, the Speech and Language Program, and the Autism Program.

The second paper, titled “Vocational Apprenticeship Initiatives Implemented in the Intellectual Education School,” was delivered by Zubaida Al-Rawahi, Vocational Guidance Specialist at the Intellectual Education School. The paper reviewed the most important services provided by vocational guidance for students with disabilities, which vary between apprenticeship professionalism, student companies, visits, and participation inside and outside the school; in addition to focusing on developing students' professional culture through career guidance sessions. The event also included a presentation of student’s experience "Maryam Al-Saidi", with the aim of showcasing the skills of graduates with Down syndrome. She has been training at the school for two consecutive academic years, performing several tasks as a service assistant, shift worker, assistant to the classroom teacher, and developing educational skills such as computer programs, office work, life skills among others.

The event also included a training session in the field of financial culture entitled "Success Cell" presented by Yaqoub Al-Kioumi, Al-Yaqeen Al-Sabai, and Duaa Al-Farsi, from the Ghurra Initiative Foundation. The session covered theoretical and practical training for students with intellectual disabilities using a learning-by-play approach and practicing the buying and selling process, with the aim of developing and enhancing the skills of small traders among students with intellectual disabilities.

The celebration aims to raise community awareness of Down syndrome, correct misconceptions about it, highlight the capabilities and achievements of individuals with Down syndrome, promote a culture of acceptance and diversity in society, affirm the right of students with Down syndrome to receive quality and equal education, support inclusive education efforts by facilitating educational environments that suit their needs, and highlight the role of the directorate in developing educational programs and services for this group. The event also aims to encourage independence and self-reliance among individuals with Down syndrome, support their capabilities and develop their skills through training and rehabilitation programs, enhance their active participation in various community activities, educate parents on how to support their children with Down syndrome, and strengthen the role of educational, health, and social institutions in providing the necessary support. It also aims to build partnerships with relevant entities to enhance services provided to this group, hold awareness workshops and lectures on Down syndrome, organize recreational, cultural, and artistic activities in which this group participates, and showcase inspiring success stories of people with Down syndrome to highlight their capabilities and potential.

It is worth mentioning that this event stems from the Ministry's belief in the importance of raising awareness and supporting individuals with Down syndrome to ensure their empowerment and integration into society. It also falls within the framework of its ongoing commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters independence and integration and contributes to improving the quality of life for this group. This is based on a comprehensive vision aimed at achieving sustainable development for all. This day represents an opportunity to emphasize the importance of developing educational and rehabilitation systems and strengthening partnerships between various entities to ensure comprehensive support for this group, contribute to spreading a culture of acceptance and appreciation for diversity, and encourage educational and community institutions to adopt practices and policies that are more responsive to the needs of people with Down syndrome. This year's theme reflects the need to build more inclusive and sustainable educational and social environments that ensure equal opportunities for people with Down syndrome to achieve their full potential.