President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said yesterday that he will work to find equal opportunities for children with special needs to showcase their skills.

President Muizzu made this statement on the "Rayyithunge Adu" program when responding to a concern from the parent of a child with special needs.

The parent, Khadheeja from HA. Kelaa, told the President that the 18 year old child with special needs is quite talented at drawing, but she does not have a platform to showcase her skills.

"It makes me quite sad to see such a talented child not have an opportunity in Maldives. She keeps the pencil and eraser to the side and uses only a pen to draw. She is really good," said the child's mother.

Even though her child took part in the recent art exhibition in Hulhumale', the organizers of the event informed the mother that the child cannot stay there for too long because she has autism. The mother told President Muizzu that her child was not allowed to stay at the exhibition, and when she requested whether her child's drawing could be kept up, she did not get a response.

"The organizers said they would talk among themselves and call me, but I did not get a response," explained the mother.

After hearing her story, President Muizzu said participation of children with special needs in such competitions needs to be increased. He also said those children need to have equal opportunities in life.

"I will look into this closely, I will work to facilitate a way where especially your child's talent can grow," the President stated.

Even though Kelaa is a beautiful island, the mother highlighted children with special needs do not receive the necessary educational opportunities, and so they have no choice but to live in Male'.