A significant percentage of Bangladesh’s children are afflicted with various disabilities, e.g., a spectrum of intellectual disabilities, and, hearing and visual disabilities, etc. To meet their educational needs there are an estimated 2941 special education schools and about 44, 160 special education teachers. Unfortunately, most of these teachers have received degrees for teaching normal children. In addition, there are only five dedicated special education teacher training colleges in Bangladesh, almost all of which are in Dhaka. Therefore, there is a severe shortage of both special education teachers and colleges to educate such teachers in Bangladesh.
The Jahanara and Latifar Rahman Special Education Teachers Training College or JLRSETT College for short, was established in 2019 to meet this critical need and in 2024 received affiliation from the National University, Bangladesh (College Code: 2344). The College is located in Lalpur Upazilla, Natore Zilla. The location is ideal for cost effectively supporting potential students from the northern and western regions of Bangladesh. The College was envisioned and established by Mr. Mohammad Shemanur Rahman with support, guidance and encouragement of the trustees of the Jahanara and Latifar Rahman Charitable Trust.