Cosmas Mnyanyi (left), Open University of Tanzania consultant
Findings
of a ground-breaking report due for release today highlights the huge
challenges in education facing children living with disability who study
alongside able-bodied ones.
The findings form part of a comprehensive report investigating the realities of children with disability in Coastal Region and are being used as the starting point to bring down barriers.
The report, which is authored by Open University of Tanzania consultant Cosmas Mnyanyi, says the aim is to get both children with disability and others studying effectively together.
It is widely acknowledged that only between 3 and 5 per cent of children with disability in Tanzania go to school, a fact that resulted in the National Strategy in Inclusive Education initiated in 2009.
These latest findings suggest that the few who have made it into school face a wide range of challenges, chiefly a lack of assistive devices such as Braille machines for the visually impaired, hearing aids and ramps and access points for children using wheelchairs.
Additionally, there are very few teachers who have qualifications and understanding of disability issues, a shortage of data on types of disability, a scarcity of workshops where crafts and trades can be taught, as well as issues facing all children such as a shortage of books and classroom space.
Details of the report will be shared at a launch in Kibaha, Coast Region, today. It is expected to bring together children with disability, their parents or guardians, teachers as well as those involved in education and those campaigning for the rights of people living with disability.
According to ADD International, one of the organisations that commissioned the report, the findings form the first step in a five-year plan to increase greater access to schools and improve educational performance and achievements.
“Now, as a result of this report, the realities of being a child with disability are there for all of us to see,” says the organisation’s country director for Tanzania, Sixbert Mzee, adding: “Together with other campaigners and supporters we have to ensure that we work even harder to bring down barriers – first in Coast Region and then across Tanzania.”
ADD International chief executive Tim Wainwright will be among those gracing the launch along with high-ranking officials from the Education and Vocational Training ministry, the Health and Social Welfare ministry, representatives of organisations of people with disability), NGOs and other stakeholders.
Organisers of the launch have expressed hope for a brighter future and there is consensus in the report that, despite the daunting challenges children with disability face in schools, all children should study together in an inclusive environment.
ADD International, the Education and Vocational Training ministry and organisations of people living with disability are collaborating in promoting an accessible and inclusive world where men, women and children with disability are able to enjoy their rights and responsibilities and participate as fully as they choose at every level of society.
“We started to work as an international organisation in 1985 and work with disable people in Africa and Asia. We have been working in Tanzania for more than 16 years,” says an ADD spokesperson, adding: “Our experience indicates that the realisation of national, regional and global objectives and goals cannot be achieved unless people living with disability are effectively included in mainstream development.”
Through Between the Posts Productions, a UK-based media production and broadcast consultancy company specialising in media delivery to Africa, ADD is involving the Tanzanian media in this campaign to highlight these issues. It is doing so by offering creative and strategic recommendations to optimise relevant broadcast opportunities to underline the need for inclusive education for children with disability.
The findings form part of a comprehensive report investigating the realities of children with disability in Coastal Region and are being used as the starting point to bring down barriers.
The report, which is authored by Open University of Tanzania consultant Cosmas Mnyanyi, says the aim is to get both children with disability and others studying effectively together.
It is widely acknowledged that only between 3 and 5 per cent of children with disability in Tanzania go to school, a fact that resulted in the National Strategy in Inclusive Education initiated in 2009.
These latest findings suggest that the few who have made it into school face a wide range of challenges, chiefly a lack of assistive devices such as Braille machines for the visually impaired, hearing aids and ramps and access points for children using wheelchairs.
Additionally, there are very few teachers who have qualifications and understanding of disability issues, a shortage of data on types of disability, a scarcity of workshops where crafts and trades can be taught, as well as issues facing all children such as a shortage of books and classroom space.
Details of the report will be shared at a launch in Kibaha, Coast Region, today. It is expected to bring together children with disability, their parents or guardians, teachers as well as those involved in education and those campaigning for the rights of people living with disability.
According to ADD International, one of the organisations that commissioned the report, the findings form the first step in a five-year plan to increase greater access to schools and improve educational performance and achievements.
“Now, as a result of this report, the realities of being a child with disability are there for all of us to see,” says the organisation’s country director for Tanzania, Sixbert Mzee, adding: “Together with other campaigners and supporters we have to ensure that we work even harder to bring down barriers – first in Coast Region and then across Tanzania.”
ADD International chief executive Tim Wainwright will be among those gracing the launch along with high-ranking officials from the Education and Vocational Training ministry, the Health and Social Welfare ministry, representatives of organisations of people with disability), NGOs and other stakeholders.
Organisers of the launch have expressed hope for a brighter future and there is consensus in the report that, despite the daunting challenges children with disability face in schools, all children should study together in an inclusive environment.
ADD International, the Education and Vocational Training ministry and organisations of people living with disability are collaborating in promoting an accessible and inclusive world where men, women and children with disability are able to enjoy their rights and responsibilities and participate as fully as they choose at every level of society.
“We started to work as an international organisation in 1985 and work with disable people in Africa and Asia. We have been working in Tanzania for more than 16 years,” says an ADD spokesperson, adding: “Our experience indicates that the realisation of national, regional and global objectives and goals cannot be achieved unless people living with disability are effectively included in mainstream development.”
Through Between the Posts Productions, a UK-based media production and broadcast consultancy company specialising in media delivery to Africa, ADD is involving the Tanzanian media in this campaign to highlight these issues. It is doing so by offering creative and strategic recommendations to optimise relevant broadcast opportunities to underline the need for inclusive education for children with disability.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
