RUKUNGIRI- Calls for consideration of people’s disability in examination setting and assessment have been the key talk points during the members of parliaments visit to Nyakibale lower and Kitazigulukwa primary schools Handicapped units in Rukungiri district on Thursday Feb 20th 2020.
The parliamentary committee on labor gender and social develop chaired by Alex Ndeezi were yesterday on an official visit in fulfillment of the speaker’s 27th October 2018 promise at EKIGUUTUURO kya Boona fm to assess the state of the school and the help that can be rendered to facilitate its better performance.
David Mwesigwa Kyahurwa the municipal education officer and Henry Byarugaba the school head teacher were all concerned that national exams have always been set without consideration of such handicapped communities a reason as to why such units perform poorly.
Kyahurwa called for a consolidated effort to ensure skills development to these children so that in future they can be able to employ themselves other than ending their academic cycle at primary level.
“It’s unfortunate that most pupils end their education cycle at the end of primary education because most of the parents can’t afford taking these children to their special schools for another level” He said.
My view would be that the government plans on starting up technical institutions to help these children acquire skills that may earn them a living in future other than ending at interpreting sign languages “Kyahurwa added”.
Sister Bonyconcillah Atuhairwe head of the Unit at Nyakibale lower primary school told the committee that they are working below the minimum required standards with dilapidated buildings. She told the committee that there are many handicapped children who would wish to join the school but they can’t accommodate them.
“A number of other children with disabilities are down there in villages yawning for a chance to be with us here but we can’t enroll them since we have meager resources” said sr. Atuhairwe.
Atuheirwe added that “if the government can usher in a hand and improve on the resources, they can as well be able to enroll more pupils with such disabilities so that they can enlighten their lives”.
In response Alex Ndeezi the committee chairperson noted that they will arrange some important requirements and address them to the speaker for action. Ndeezi promised the stake holders that the speaker will follow up on their issues so that the handicapped pupils are considered as any other Ugandan.
Lucy Akello the Amuru district woman Mp hailed the teachers for their sacrifice and challenged them to keep focused for the almighty will reward them in future for what they have done to the needy children.
“No amount of money or appreciation that can match the job your doing here but am here to tell you that the almighty will abundantly bless you than you think because of what you are doing for these kids” m/s Akello noted.
The unit currently looks after 40 pupils with disabilities ranging from deafness and dumbs.
The team constituted of committee members including Sylvia Rwabwogo, Lucy Akello among others and was led by the Rukungiri district woman Member of Parliament Hon Betty Bamukwatsa Muzanira.
They climaxed their visit at Kitazigulukwa primary school in southern division Rukungiri municipality also In Rukungiri district.
