University of Kisubi to start special needs course
Aug 06, 2018
'Training teachers will help vulnerable children receive adequate care, love and education so that they can grow up to lead productive and meaningful lives'
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
The University of Kisubi, in partnership with Carlow University in the US, is to start a special programme for teachers who will teach children with special needs.
The university dean, Sr Dr Elizabeth Nakayiza, of the Faculty of Education, made the revelation on Friday during a tour she made to different schools with her fellow university lecturers together with two US university specialists.
The American visiting lecturers were Susan O'Rourke and Kevin Spencer, who are specialists in teaching children with special needs in the US.
The team made the visit to different schools in and around Entebbe and other places in Wakiso district which have vulnerable children after a two-day workshop held at the university premises.
Nakayiza said education is the backbone of a successful society and every human being should have the right, privilege, and opportunity to get the best education possible. Unfortunately, in our world, this is often not a reality for many disadvantaged children. Education for special needs children falls by the wayside by leaving them aside, but changing the social infrastructure is an enormous endeavor requiring manpower and agreement among valuable children.
She said this programme will start in mid-August this year when the new academic year starts. Students will be paying like others under a memorandum of understanding between the University of Kisubi and Carlow.
PIC: Another child with special needs chats with Susan O'Rourke
"Many teachers were sent to teach in vulnerable schools with no training at all and they end up teaching these children like normal pupils, which not good, with such degree and diploma courses will continue helping such schools," Lugemwa said.
He added that many of our relatives and sisters and brothers are getting these children; thankfully, we don't have to wait until all that is straightened out to make a difference. Right now, we have to do something to target the less fortunate so that we help the society."
Lugemwa explain that the training such teachers is to build, support and promote a network of education advocacy to vulnerable children in their states so that every student and pupils graduate.
"By training teachers to teach vulnerable children, it will empower the children by providing high education and transform their lives," Brother Lugemwa said.
PIC: Children with special needs can be productive members of society if given the educational support they require
Meanwhile, Rourke said: "Training teachers will help vulnerable children receive adequate care, love and education so that they can grow up to lead productive and meaningful lives."
Rourke said their goal is to give impoverished children excellent education and their mission is to support leaders and educators in the field.
University of Kisubi was established in 2004 by the Brothers of Christian Instruction. In 2009 UniK was made a constituent college of the university. In 2015, it received provisional accreditation to become a separate, independent University.
However, Carlow University is a private, co-educational, Catholic university located in the heart of Pittsburgh's in USA, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and Carlow.