Lutfur Rahman Hridoy Kendua (Netrokona)

The "Kendua Salma Islam Protibandhi Academy" in Netrokona, which started its journey in 2016 to spread the light of education to neglected disabled children, is still waiting for government recognition.

This institution, established through the single-handed efforts of social worker and former chairman Salma Akhter, is now the only hope for special children in the area.

As there was no educational institution for disabled children in Kendua Municipality, on the advice of prominent people in the municipality, prominent social worker Salma Akhter established the "Kendua Salma Islam Protibandhi Academy" in 2016 by renting a tin shed house in Kamalpur on Kendua-Atharobari Main Road.

Many people came forward to provide their services without pay as teachers, tutors, nannies, peons, drivers and night guards. Salma Akhter started the organization by collecting disabled students with them.
In 2019, when the Upazila Executive Officer was requested to be the president as per the government directive, Salma Akhter was nominated as the president.

Taking on the responsibility of the president, she donated 35 percent of the land purchased in the name of her eldest son in Chandragati village under Kendua Municipality, 300 yards from the Upazila Parishad, on Sajiura Road, to the academy. The institution was relocated after constructing a building there.

On her personal initiative, necessary medical equipment, educational materials, sports and exercise equipment were also collected for disabled students.

Currently, since 2021, the Upazila Executive Officer, Kendua, has been serving as the president of the academy ex officio as per the government decision. However, founder Salma Akhter is no longer able to devote as much time as before due to illness.

The Headmaster of the institution, Mamun Mia, said, "The appointed teachers and staff have been providing voluntary services to special children without pay for a long time. Despite repeated visits by officials from various departments on the instructions of the Ministry of Social Welfare, the school has not been recognized and MPO registered yet."

The local people are praying for Salma Akhter's speedy recovery and have strongly demanded that the "Kendua Salma Islam Protibandhi Academy" be quickly government-owned and MPO registered for the future of disabled children.