Special needs schools still lacking in the country

By Andrew Masinde

He manoeuvrs through the school compound with so much ease that one would imagine he is able to see where he is going. But no, Iraril Senkumba has only mastered the maze in the school compound, demarcated with green belts, such that nothing surprises him.

Born without sight, Iraril has come to accept that he will never have sight and what keeps him going is the hope for a better life. An orphan since he was about six years, Iraril knows no motherly or family love.

In his early life, he lived with his aunt who he says mistreated him and never took him to school. Today at 19 years, Iraril is only in primary two.

"When my parents died, I was taken to live with my aunt but she did not like me. She did not allow me to go to school; she said I cannot study with normal children. She also said there are no schools were blind children can study from," Iraril says.

"Whenever people came home she could hide me away and tell lies that I was fine. In my condition I used to fetch water, firewood, banana leaves and even unearth sweet potatoes. It was difficult but I got used," he added.

Iraril's breakthrough would not come until two years ago when his grandfather realised the injustices he was going through. His grandfather took him away and got him a school to study. Iraril currently studies at Nkozi Demonstration School in Mpigi district.

Like Iraril, many children with disabilities are denied their right to education with parents or guardians claiming that there are no schools were these children can study from. This has forced many to be kept home while others go to school, yet all children irrespective of their disability have a right to education.

Yudaya Kigongo a special needs teacher at Nkozi Demonstration School in Mpigi says, children born with disabilities too have a right to go to school, however many parents and guardians deny them this right claiming that they cannot understand at school.

"There many schools and I have seen many of these children excel even better than those who are normal. Most of them are from poor backgrounds that cannot afford to support them through school in any way maybe that's why they claim there are no schools for these people," Yudaya explains.

According to Uganda Population and Housing census (2002), one in every 25 persons has a disability and hence making it a development concern. Some of the disabilities include difficulty in seeing, hearing, speech, moving and learning.

The underlying causes of disability include but not limited to communicable diseases, congenital abnormalities and injuries. The situation has been worsened by poverty, illiteracy and varying degrees of negative attitudes. World Health Organisation estimates that approximately 10% of any population is disabled.

It also estimates that of the 10% only 5.8% of persons with disabilities need to be provided with services. The United Nations Standard Rules on Equalisation of Opportunities for PWDs (1991) urges all nations to show strong commitment on equalisation of opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The Minister of State for Disability and Elderly Sulaiman Madada says there are a number of schools in Uganda were special needs persons can study from. Parents need to know were these schools are and they should take an initiative to take them there and also provide for them all the requirements.

"the schools that have special needs children include, Sr. Appolo kagwa secondary school in Mukono, Iganga ss in Iganga, Madera ss in Soroti, Saad memorial school in Kasese, Ngora deaf unit in Ngora district, Salam school for the blind, Mulago school for the deaf, Ntinda school for the blind, Gulula primary school, Namirembe primary school in Mengo and many other schools," he explained.

With rehabilitation centre, Madada says there is Ruti, Rweza, Kireka, Mbale sheltered workshop, Mpumudde rehabilitation school and Ochoco rehabilitation centre in Arua.

Malinga Joseph the communications manager NUDIPU says, despite the many schools that are there, many lack requirements to be used by persons with disability. There are no teaching aids; some are not accessible for the children while others are expensive.

"Government has not placed any special offers for these persons yet most of them are from poor families and some are orphans. Even when they perform better, they have to compete with the rest for the slots on government scholarships. There are only 65 slots for affirmative action yet children who pass are more than that meaning the rest are left out," he explained.

Malinga added that the ministry should also look into the issue of equipping these schools because many were set up but were left minus equipment's, so government should work on it because some of the materials are bought one and they can serve many children.