PESHAWAR, May 2: Lack of schools and trained teachers for handicapped people in the NWFP in particular and in the country in general is affecting 5.2 million handicapped persons in Pakistan, says a survey.

According to 1998 census report, total population of the province is 17,550,000, including around 17,55,000 handicapped people. These persons need special institutions and trained teachers to lead a normal life, says the survey conducted by a Swabi-based teacher, Ali Rehman. He has done his masters in special education from Allama Iqbal Open University.

The survey is based on a UN report saying that every 10th Pakistani is handicapped in one way or the other. And around 351,000 people (2 per cent) of these special persons are severely handicapped, including 140,400 (40 per cent) children of the school-going age.

In the absence of qualified teachers and special schools, they become a burden on society. According to Ali Rehman, some 702 schools (for every 200 students) are required for these children to help them earn their livelihood in an honourable manner.

According to 1994 directory of special education, the number of special education centres in the NWFP was 55, but one is unable to locate these schools. There are also 561,600 people who fall in the category of moderately handicapped and can be turned into useful citizens, provided that the required number of schools and teachers are arranged for them, the survey states.

The number of physically handicapped people in the Frontier province is 0.702 million (40 per cent of the total handicapped), who also needs at least one physical education expert per school (200 students), says the survey.

Similarly, some 5.2 million handicapped people in Pakistan also need education, as they are entitled to get free education in line with the Constitution. The document says every citizen of Pakistan will be given free access to education irrespective of clan, religion and colour.