Kwale PWDs call for special needs schools

A lobby and persons living with disabilities in Kwale have petitioned the national government to construct more schools for PWDs for quality education and proper inclusion.

Human Rights Agenda senior programmes officer Antony Maghanga on Monday said many PWDs are languishing in poverty for lack of education.

Addressing a PWDs Summit in Msambweni about access to justice, human rights and economic opportunities, he said PWDs are marginalised.

"Most PWD children are unable to proceed further after primary education. There are few high schools and they are poorly equipped," he said.  

Maghanga said despite Kwale having many PWDs, they are only served by two high schools.

These are Kwale School for the Deaf and Kwale School for the Mentally Handicapped.

He said other children with various special abilities are left out and forced to seek secondary education outside the county, which is costly.

Maghanga said since parents cannot raise funds for their education, PWD children often drop out halfway.

The activist said because the special schools are few, disabled people don't fully realise their dreams and are compelled to go for technical courses after Class 8.

He said PWDs don't get equal education opportunities since only a few can access higher education.

Maghanga said some parents take their PWD children to normal schools, which don't have special infrastructure for them.

"Most physically handicapped and skin condition pupils attend the nearest schools, whose infrastructure and environment don't fit them," he said.

The county has no TVETs or colleges for people with special needs, which contributes to the low number of PWDs with appropriate job skills. 

The situation results in poor learning and a dark future for PWDs since most parents shut down their children's education for missing support.

Maghanga said there is a need for government to effectively budget for PWDs' education and well-being.

He said more special school units should be constructed to handle the multiple needs of people with disabilities.

Kinango Disabled Network associate James Ndegwa said education in special schools is very expensive.

He said county and national governments should partner to establish more schools for PWDs to cushion parents from huge expenses.

Ndegwa said the county should budget for PWD nursery schools and equip them well to provide a proper education background for pupils with special needs.

Kwale Albinism Network officer Joseph Mwero said the government should also hire enough teachers to promote PWD education.

He said they should train parents of children with special needs how to communicate and live with them.

Mwero said due to a lack of awareness, most parents treat PWD children as a punishment from God and feel ashamed of having them.

He said sometimes the parents hide their disabled sons and daughters and lock them from the outside world, which is not right and inhumane at the highest level.

"Up to now, there are people who are hiding children with disabilities because of the shared belief that giving birth to such people is a curse," he said.

Physically handicapped representative Mohammed Mwanachuoni said it is sad that PWDs' education is still down.

He said people with special needs can be independent and live prosperous lives if they are properly empowered through quality education and job skills.

Mwanachuoni said all PWDs must get the desired education regardless of their disabilities.

Rebecca Mwaka said inadequate education for persons with disabilities has resulted in poor representation for PWDs.

She said there are a few persons with disabilities employed in government offices.

Christine Jeffa said in the county, PWDs are below the required 30 per cent in employment.

She said the few employed ones are subjected to low posts that belong to the less educated.