Government gives financial help to visually impaired students

The government will allocate RM3 million to help visually impaired students, mainly to provide access to Information Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Sunday.He said that although the allocation was small the government would consider reviewing the amount if needed.

"The RM3 million is for the ICT development of blind students in all schools."We can make a difference, we can close the digital divide between them and the others by using the latest technologies available and improving teachers training and infrastructure," he said in his opening speech at the 12th World Conference of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairments, here today.He said there are 823 blind students studying in normal schools nationwide.

At the function, Hishammuddin also launched the Education for All Students with Visual Impairment Global Campaign.Meanwhile on another matter, Hishammuddin said the de-classification of government documents regarding the scenic bridge to replace the Johor causeway, which had been aborted, was necessary to explain to the public to dispel any misconceptions."Now we hope the people can decide for themselves the facts and hope there are no misconceptions anymore regarding the matter," he said.Asked if more documents would be de-classified, he replied that if the need arose, then the Cabinet would deliberate it further.