Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Monday that the Tahya Misr Fund has allocated EGP 500 mln to support citizens with special needs.

The announcement came as El-Sisi inaugurated the first Arab Forum for Schools for Special Needs and Integration held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. 

The Egyptian president also announced that the government recently provided 5,000 jobs for handicapped and special need citizens in state institutions.

He also revealed that government buildings were being prepared to become special needs citizens friendly.

El-Sisi also stated that the government is working to provide pensions and residential units for special needs citizens, which he said are estimated to be 10 million out of a population of 104 million.

The president honoured some students with special needs and their families.

The forum is sponsored by Egypt's Ministry of Education and is being held from 1 to 4 October.

The speaker of Egypt’s parliament Ali Abdel-Aal, Minister of Education Tarek Shawki and Minister of Defence Mohamed Zaki are among Egyptian state officials attending the inauguration.

The forum is attended by delegations and ministers from a number of Arab countries.

The event comes as part of the ‘Special Needs Year’ initiative that was announced by El-Sisi in April 2017.

The initiative involves a plan to develop the capabilities and skills of Egyptian and Arab students with special needs, and will be managed by Egypt’s Ministry of Education.

The Arab forum will feature various workshops and talent shows in sports, art, photography and graphics for persons with special needs.

In opening remarks at the event, Minister Shawky highlighted the success of integration policies in schools and said that the ministry is training teachers to deal with special needs citizens.

"Non-special needs students have benefited from the integration with special needs students," the minister said, adding "that this approach reflects a culture of respecting differences."

The minister said that more trained cadres are needed to develop the skills of citizens with special needs.

In response to the minister’s comments, President El-Sisi has tasked Egypt's Ministry of Defence with building a special centre to develop the skills of special needs citizens.

According to Article 81 of Egypt’s 2014 constitution, the state must provide work opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and allocate a percentage of jobs to them, as well as equip public facilities and the surrounding environment to cater to those with special needs.