PM Abiy Ahmed Inaugurates Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for Blind in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, The Gulf Observer: In a significant milestone for inclusive education in Ethiopia, the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind was officially inaugurated in Addis Ababa, attended by Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The school, aimed at providing essential educational access to blind and visually-impaired youth, is a testament to the humanitarian vision of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The institution will cater to up to 400 secondary students, offering Ethiopia’s national curriculum through accessible formats including braille books, audiobooks, and multimedia content. This initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to inclusive development and reflects the tireless efforts of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation,” who is the Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the importance of disability inclusion in policy and infrastructure planning during his remarks at the inauguration. “I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for the support extended to this noble cause,” he said, emphasizing the school’s role in addressing the educational needs of visually-impaired youth.
H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, also spoke at the event, celebrating the opening as a milestone. “Under the guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we celebrate this milestone opening of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind. Its launch reflects H.H.’s dedication to building a more equitable world for all children, everywhere,” he said. Sheikh Theyab added that the school is a testament to the strong ties between the UAE and Ethiopia and their shared commitment to enabling all members of society to harness their potential and thrive.
Ethiopia faces significant challenges with visual impairment, with approximately 1.6 percent of the population living with blindness and 3.7 percent with low vision. The country also bears the highest global burden of trachoma, a preventable eye disease that can lead to blindness if untreated. The economic and social impacts of eye diseases are profound, straining health systems and contributing to cycles of poverty.
Spanning 15,000 square meters, the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind includes accommodations for students and staff, a state-of-the-art gymnasium and library, and technology-enabled classrooms designed to meet the specific learning needs of blind and visually-impaired students. This institution aims to provide inclusive learning opportunities for a population often underserved by mainstream education systems.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a UAE delegation led by Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, alongside Ahmed Sultan Salim Al Falasi, and Saud Al Tenaiji, Deputy UAE Ambassador in Addis Ababa, as well as dignitaries from both countries.
Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, in his address, emphasized the school’s role as a gesture of friendship from the UAE to Ethiopia, reinforcing the growing bilateral ties between the two nations. These ties have been strengthened through multiple high-level visits, including President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s landmark visits to Ethiopia in 2018 and 2023, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s reciprocal visits to the UAE.
The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak School for the Blind stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring partnership between the UAE and Ethiopia, dedicated to improving the lives of visually-impaired youth and fostering a more inclusive society.
