Parents of a primary school for the deaf in Msambweni, Kwale county, have urged the government to deploy more teachers and equip the institution.
The Kidimu School for the Deaf, which has 10 classrooms and more than 60 pupils, only has three TSC-registered teachers.
The TSC teachers are helped by three other teachers employed by the board.
The school's parents association chairman Masai Mwawira said the lack of enough learning facilities and teachers is affecting children's education.
He said teachers are forced to use one classroom to teach two classes.
Mwawira said pupils, both male and female, together with their teachers are forced to sleep in one dormitory since it's a boarding school.
One bed is shared by at least three pupils, mostly boys because they are more.
"Things are tough, classrooms are very few and making it worse teachers share a dormitory with students," Mwawira said.
He spoke on Tuesday in an interview in Msambweni subcounty.
Mwawira said the teachers are under pressure to complete the syllabus on time despite their low numbers.
He said they have to work three times harder to rush the syllabus, which is not conducive to their mental health and that of the students.
The school has a nursery (PP1 and PP2) and upper classes from Grade 1 to Standard 8.
Mwawira said the situation requires immediate intervention as the new curriculum is too involving and needs enough teachers.
He asked the government to equip and employ more teachers to the school.
"We appreciate getting food rations from the government and private organisations, but learning facilities and personnel are key to the institution's prosperity," Mwawira said.
He said teachers will be more effective in delivering knowledge if an appropriate number of staff is hired for quality education.
School Board chairman David Katana lamented that the welfare of children living with disabilities had not been properly addressed by the government.
He said the government should budget special funds to cater to education and address the well-being of PWD children.
"Parliament should agree to have a certain percentage of funds to address the challenges of the PWDs' education," Katana said.
He said PWDs deserve to be treated equally and exposed to equal learning and employment opportunities.
People with disability representative Bakari Mwakilesho said the government should ensure all PWD schools are well-funded to enhance learning for children living with special needs.
School head teacher Athman Mwakuyu said the institution is also confronted with a myriad of food challenges.
He, however, said they have adopted kitchen garden farming to sustain themselves.
They grow vegetables to supplement the food donations, mainly cereals.
On Tuesday, the school received Sh300,000 grants from the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya.
The funds are to support the institution’s agricultural project.
The shade net project is also supported by Coast Serious Farmers Group and other NGOs.
Mwakuyu said the project has been successful since they produce food and sell the surplus to the market.
Edited by A.N