Latest news with #withDisability
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Health
- Muscat Daily
Better support mooted for individuals with disabilities in Oman
Muscat – As part of its ongoing efforts to support and empower individuals with disabilities, the Ministry of Social Development held a consultative meeting on Tuesday with representatives from government, private and community-based rehabilitation centres. The meeting aimed to highlight the ministry's role in enhancing services for persons with disabilities, while also addressing the main challenges facing rehabilitation centres and exploring ways to strengthen cooperation and unified action among all stakeholders. Discussions during the meeting focused on the various services and programmes provided by the Department of Persons with Disabilities. These include the issuance of disability identification cards, the provision of assistive devices and supportive equipment, and access to rehabilitation services at specialised centres. Participants reviewed the key obstacles faced by rehabilitation centres and put forward a number of development proposals aimed at improving the quality of services offered. The discussions also emphasised the importance of greater coordination to ensure more comprehensive support and care for individuals with disabilities across the country. According to the ministry, a total of 119 rehabilitation centres comprising government, private and community-based institutions were operating in Oman by the end of 2024. Of these, 19 centres were newly established during that year. The number of beneficiaries reached 8,893 individuals. Additionally, the ministry distributed 10,795 assistive devices in 2024, while the number of individuals issued a 'Person with Disability' card stood at 64,087 till the end of the year.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
CM reviews NEET preparations, senior IAS, IRS officers to ensure fair process
Guwahati: Himanta Biswa Sarma , chief minister of Assam, chaired a high-level review meeting on Saturday, ahead of the NEET (UG) examination scheduled for Sunday. The meeting, attended by chief secretary Ravi Kota and DGP Harmeet Singh, focused on ensuring the integrity of the medical entrance exam. Following the Assam govt's request to the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET centres have been designated exclusively in provincialised colleges and govt-run schools, eliminating private institutions from hosting the exam. The examination was previously held mostly in private educational institutions. The decision stems from concerns regarding examination integrity in private educational establishments. Approximately 45,000 students will appear for NEET across various centres in the state. To ensure a smooth examination process, senior IAS and IRS officers have been deployed as district in-charges, while state civil service officers will oversee individual centres. CM Sarma held a high-level video conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan to assess final preparations. "Reviewed last-minute preparations before tomorrow's #NEET2025 exams. We are enforcing strict measures this time to ensure no malpractice and the selection of only deserving candidates in this exam. Special teams headed by senior officials have been dispatched to all districts," CM Sarma said in a post on 'X'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The chief minister's office reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, emphasising stringent security measures and transparency. The exam will be conducted in 17 cities and towns across Assam, with Guwahati hosting the highest number of centres (21), where over 11,000 candidates are registered. In total, 97 examination centres have been designated for 45,021 candidates, including 23,274 females, 21,747 males, and 241 individuals from the Persons with Disability (PwD) category. Some faculty members and experts have said students can expect the paper to be moderately challenging this year, as the NTA has revised the pattern and exam duration to what it was during the pre-Covid period, i.e., 180 questions in 180 minutes without any optional question. Sanjay Moolchandani, a counselling expert at a leading city coaching institute, said, "This change may reduce the count of students attempting the full paper, as until last year, students used to get 200 questions out of which they needed to attempt 180 questions." Previously, chief minister Sarma observed that numerous candidates securing admission to the state's medical colleges through NEET demonstrated merit below expectations. "Several professors have reported that while students secure high marks, their practical and academic proficiency remains limited," Sarma said.
