May 24,2012
AMMAN -- The Ministry of Social Development on Thursday issued warnings to five centres providing care for people with disabilities (PWD) as part of the third phase of a probe into allegations of abuse being committed there.
In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Social Development Minister Wajih Azaizeh said the centres are: Al Hadith Centre for Special Education, Al Rawnaq Centre for Special Education, Al Jaafar Centre for Special Education, Irbid Academy for Autism and Special Education, and Idrak Centre for Special Education.
"Several irregularities were uncovered in the centres, including possession of expired food stuffs and medications, unclean water and poor sanitation, the lack of public safety requirements and staff incompetence," according to the statement.
The investigation also showed that the buildings are in need of maintenance work to meet the ministry's standards and requirements, Azaizeh said.
Under the first and second phases of the probe, the Amman-based Al Madar International Centre for Special Education and the Ibn Khaldoun Centre for Special Education were shut down.
Moreover, several children receiving care at a government centre in Jerash were moved to another safer building, pending completion of maintenance at the original building.
The decisions were taken as part of a probe and an assessment process ordered by His Majesty King Abdullah after an international media outlet aired a documentary featuring children being abused in some special education centres.
The King issued directives to the government to investigate all special and public homes providing services to PWD and hold accountable every person involved in violations.
His Majesty paid surprise visits to some of these centres earlier last week and issued a letter to Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh ordering the probe.
© Jordan Times 2012
