RIYADH: The Ministry of Labor and Social Development recently signed two memorandums of understanding with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Excellence Training Center to improve training schemes in the education sector and strengthen social security assistance to children with learning disabilities.

The signing ceremony was attended by Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khaled and Minister of Labor and Social Development Mufrej Al-Haqabani.

The first memorandum of understanding was signed between the MLSD’s branch in Asir and its counterpart at the MoE and focuses on taking care of children, including people with disabilities and orphans, and protecting them from abuse.

The second agreement was inked between the MLSD and the center to develop apprenticeship programs and training courses that enhance mutually beneficial collaboration.

Overall, the two MoU's seek to improve services for students in the public education system. Primary schoolchildren who have learning difficulties will be registered in daycare centers and transferred to public/private schools according to the capacity of class and on the recommendations of the technical committee.

The General Directorate of Education in Asir will also become responsible for providing hearing aids for those with hearing impairment aged 3-25 years, as well as for preparing a unique curriculum for students with learning challenges or who have medical conditions that oblige them to stay at daycare centers.

As per the MOU, eligible orphans and families receiving social security assistance will be transferred to public and private schools during the second phase of the project, and MoE’s branch in Asir will be assigned to provide education services for those with learning challenges aged 3-21 years old.

The MLSD’s branch in Asir will also appoint a case manager for every five male and female students who are transferred from shelter houses to general schools, in order to follow up on their progress.

To this end, both the MLSD and the MoE entities will organize several meetings and activities at the local and international levels that serve beneficiaries of the new MoUs in Asir, and which will help their staff carry out training and rehabilitation programs including adult literacy and talent discovery programs.

The two MoUs come as part of the government's efforts to turn beneficiaries of social assistance into productive members of society in line with NPT 2020 and Vision 2030