SUVA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Minister for Education Rosy Akbar stressed on Friday the need to help and improve the life quality of children with autism so that they can lead meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

Speaking at World Autism Awareness Day in Sigatoka, a town near Fiji's third largest city of Nadi, Akbar said that her ministry is strengthening inclusive education options for children with disabilities and their families across the South Pacific island nation, while continuing to support the services that special schools provide to children with particular and complex disabilities, such as autism.

In recent years, Fiji has paid more attention to the children with autism. The special schools in the country have done a number of activities, in partnership with the parents and families of children with autism to help raise awareness among the people.

The event was attended by students from the various special schools in the western part of Fiji along with their parents and guardians.