Education Ministry to set up specialized schools for autistic students

The Education Ministry is planning to establish specialized schools for autistic students, Education Minister Tarek Shawki said yesterday at an event to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, Al Mal reports. According to Shawki, there are currently 1,082 autistic students in public and technical schools. The number of people with autism in Egypt is about 800,000, Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali said at the event, according to a ministry statement. One in 160 children show symptoms of autism at varying stages. A number of Egyptian buildings were lit in blue for the occasion, Wali said.