United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
The
government in collaboration with Under The Same Sun (UTSS) and the
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has come up with a guidebook on
provision of education to students with albinism.
The document contains rules on how students with albinism in Tanzania can be given extra care so as to access better education like those without the disability.
Speaking at the launch of the book in Dar es Salaam Education and Vocational Training deputy minister Philipo Mulugo applauded efforts by UTSS and education stakeholders who were involved in preparing the document.
The book is the first in the country since attainment of independence and is expected to offer solutions to the problems facing students with albinism, he said.
He ordered education officials and teachers to put in place directives that would help them in dealing with students with albinism as outlined in the book.
The Deputy Minister said the government has taken measures to check the problems facing people with albinism, adding that currently it is working to see that students with skin disability are given a “special offer” in education provision.
According to him, the government is looking into the possibility of simplifying accessibility of loans for students with albinism in higher learning institutions and the justification of grades to join vocational training colleges.
He revealed that there are at least 2,045 students with albinism in the country of whom 978 are girls and 1,067 boys.
UTSS Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ash said many people in the country and in Africa at large often harbour negative perceptions against albinism due to little awareness they have on how the disability occurs.
Clarifying, he said albinism does not only occur in the African continent, adding that there are also people with the same skin condition in other parts of the world.
“Albinism is everywhere in the world … people with albinism are equally created by the same God like those who do not have that disability. That is why “we are under the same Sun,” he emphasised.
Ash said Tanzania should be proud for being the first country in the continent to launch the education service in schools through the guidebook.
Referring to the launched document UTSS, Tanzania Executive Director Vicky Ntetema asked for closer supervision by Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to ensure that teachers are well empowered and informed on the use of guidelines while dealing with students with albinism at schools.
She insisted that the government should ensure the availability of the books with reasonably big fonts but also should see that students with albinism are given extra time while sitting for their exams because they have sighting problems.
The document contains rules on how students with albinism in Tanzania can be given extra care so as to access better education like those without the disability.
Speaking at the launch of the book in Dar es Salaam Education and Vocational Training deputy minister Philipo Mulugo applauded efforts by UTSS and education stakeholders who were involved in preparing the document.
The book is the first in the country since attainment of independence and is expected to offer solutions to the problems facing students with albinism, he said.
He ordered education officials and teachers to put in place directives that would help them in dealing with students with albinism as outlined in the book.
The Deputy Minister said the government has taken measures to check the problems facing people with albinism, adding that currently it is working to see that students with skin disability are given a “special offer” in education provision.
According to him, the government is looking into the possibility of simplifying accessibility of loans for students with albinism in higher learning institutions and the justification of grades to join vocational training colleges.
He revealed that there are at least 2,045 students with albinism in the country of whom 978 are girls and 1,067 boys.
UTSS Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ash said many people in the country and in Africa at large often harbour negative perceptions against albinism due to little awareness they have on how the disability occurs.
Clarifying, he said albinism does not only occur in the African continent, adding that there are also people with the same skin condition in other parts of the world.
“Albinism is everywhere in the world … people with albinism are equally created by the same God like those who do not have that disability. That is why “we are under the same Sun,” he emphasised.
Ash said Tanzania should be proud for being the first country in the continent to launch the education service in schools through the guidebook.
Referring to the launched document UTSS, Tanzania Executive Director Vicky Ntetema asked for closer supervision by Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to ensure that teachers are well empowered and informed on the use of guidelines while dealing with students with albinism at schools.
She insisted that the government should ensure the availability of the books with reasonably big fonts but also should see that students with albinism are given extra time while sitting for their exams because they have sighting problems.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
