Govt urged to recruit more teachers for the blind

Jun 10, 2019

Negris Onen, the commissioner of special needs education admitted that there is a need to train more mathematics teachers for the blind but said it was an expensive venture.

EDUCATION    SPECIAL NEEDS

 

KAMPALA- The Government has been urged to train more mathematics teachers for the visually impaired pupils and students if they are to advance in their education and gain meaningful employment.

 

The call was made by the board chair of Uganda National Association of the Blind (UNAB), Kizito Ntege who said the failure rate in mathematics was high especially in secondary schools due to the shortage of maths teachers.

 

This was during the celebrations to mark Braille Day in Kampala which attracted pupils with specials needs and the blind community, education officials and Woman Member of Parliament for Koboko district Margaret Babadiri.

 

Ntege told the audience that the problem was compounded by misplacement of few available mathematics teachers who are posted to schools without pupils and students who are visually impaired.

 

"Why would the Ministry of Education send mathematics teachers to schools without blind learners? Ntege asked.

 

Charles Bwekwaso, the executive director of UNAB decried the poor quality of braille used for teaching pupils with special needs.

 

 

Pupils of Salama School for the Blind entertaining guests during celebrations to mark World Braille Day at Uganda National Association for Blind offices in Kampala. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

 

Bwekwaso pointed out that blind learners find it hard to recognise the abbreviations due to poor quality of braille.

 

He also appealed for more teachers who can teach using the braille.

 

During the function, 18 schools across the country were given braille and brailler machines.

 

Negris Onen, the commissioner of special needs education admitted that there is a need to train more mathematics teachers for the blind but said it was an expensive venture.

 

On posting teachers to schools where blind learners don't exist Onen said the schools should bring it to the attention of the Ministry of Education and anomaly would be rectified.

 

Koboko Woman MP,  Babadiri encouraged the visually impaired learners to study hard so that they are able to work in banks and other institutions.