Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid attended the ceremony as the chief guest at Khilkhet in Dhaka. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Jan 04, 2026 (BSS) – With a view to building an inclusive society, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid today inaugurated the construction works of ‘Ashar Alo’, a special educational institution for children with special needs in the city’s Khilkhet area.

The school is being constructed under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Welfare and conducted by the Bangladesh Navy.

In her inaugural speech, Sharmeen said the institution is not just an educational institution; it is a shining example of hope, humanity and building an inclusive society. “I believe that this school will play an important role in developing the talents of children with special needs. It will set an example for all other educational institutions by developing them into confident, self-reliant and dignified citizens,” she added.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan addressed the event as special guest with Bangladesh Navy Family and Welfare Association President Nadia Sultana in the chair.

Sharmeen S. Murshid said every child has the right to grow up healthy and safely.  

“In our society, some children are born with special talents and abilities, while some children are born with special needs. Children with special needs are by no means outside of society. They are an integral part of this society. Like other children, children with special needs also have the same right to education, services and facilities. We all have the responsibility to create a suitable environment, compassionate attitude and effective education for them, she added.

The adviser informed that a total of 11 schools have been opened in Dhaka and six divisional cities under the supervision of the National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons. 

These schools are equipped with facilities for children with autism and other neuro-developmental disorders.

She said children with disorders are provided with education in literacy, numeracy, music, sports, general knowledge, communication, social behavior change and rehabilitation. In addition to government initiatives, specialized schools are being run in different parts of the country by various NGOs or organizations to ensure the right to education of children with special needs, she added. 

She said a total of 103 special service and support centers have been launched in 64 districts and 39 upazilas of the country to provide education and services, especially in remote areas of the country. From all these centers, free special education and services, counseling and support materials are being provided to people with autism and other special needs in remote areas of the country, she added.

The Adviser said, “Ashar Alo Dhaka will provide specialized education, autism support program, speech therapy, occupational therapy, parent counseling and vocational training to develop children's self-reliance.”

“All these programs will be open to all children with special needs, including those from the armed forces. The school will meet the needs of a quality, long-standing specialized school for children with special needs in the Khilkhet area adjacent to Purbachal.”

Sharmeen said the present government has given priority to all welfare activities, including children with special needs. “I reiterate my commitment to provide all kinds of support from my side for such a great initiative. I hope that the government will continue all kinds of support in the development and management of Ashar Alo School Dhaka in the future.”

She hoped that along with government initiatives, the support of renowned personalities established in the society will also continue.

Earlier, the adviser watched a documentary on various activities of Ashar Alo School. 

Later, she inaugurated the construction of a building on 1.6 acres of land for the specialized school 'Ashar Alo' run by the Bangladesh Navy.