Al-Noor Institute for the Blind celebrates graduation

BASRA — The Al-Noor Institute for the Blind celebrated the graduation of its sixth-grade students for the 2023-2024 academic year on Tuesday. The institute’s director, Wajeeha Saeed, noted that many graduates have pursued university education over the decades, with some returning to teach at the institution.

Saeed, who spoke to 964media, highlighted the institute’s educational approach. “Established in 1979, this government-run institution adapts primary school curricula approved by the Ministry of Education into Braille for blind students,” she said.

The institute serves children ages 6 to 12 across six grades and currently has 65 students, a number that continues to grow. “Al-Noor provides primary education and equips students with all necessary supplies and resources to facilitate their learning,” Saeed added.

Education at Al-Noor Institute is free. “Besides tuition-free education, students receive a social welfare salary, and a separate stipend is provided for a family member who serves as a full-time caregiver,” Saeed emphasized.

Nasser Al-Khalil, an Al-Noor graduate and current teacher at the institute, shared his experience transitioning from student to educator. After graduating, he furthered his education at the University of Basra, majoring in Arabic Language, and now teaches at Al-Noor.

Al-Khalil credits the institute with significantly enriching his life, boosting his self-confidence, and helping him achieve parity with sighted individuals. “This institute was a turning point in my life and has been instrumental in changing the lives of many others,” he said. He expressed hope that more families would recognize the institute’s crucial role in developing the technical and scientific capabilities of blind students through Braille education.