The government through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology over the past four years of Phase Five has sent Shs 5.9 billion to buy and distribute special education and support materials to primary and secondary schools, which receive special needs students in the country.
This was stated by the City of Dar es Salaam by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Leonard Akwilapo at the opening of the 10-day Tehama and Technology training course for special needs teachers and teachers teaching secondary schools to build capacity for the use of the technology in the execution of their responsibilities.
The leader mentioned the equipment purchased and distributed as Hearing Aids (Hearing Aids) for students with sensitive hearing, braille writing machines and white stickers (Braille kit) for the blind.
He said that over the past four years of President John Magufuli, the Government has also undertaken the expansion and refurbishment of the Patandi Teachers College to increase the eligibility of teachers from 300 teachers to 450 teachers for the 2019/2020 academic year.
It has also built a model high school at the college with the capacity to accommodate 640 students with special needs.
In addition, the school will help students practice teaching students with special needs and become proficient in the fields of study.
“You can see the efforts the government has been making to call on families, and development partners to continue to see the importance of contributing to the government’s efforts to provide special services to students with special needs to enable them to participate more fully in learning,” said Secretary General Aquila
Dr. He said community participation is very important as the issues of people with disabilities are cross-border so a concerted effort is needed to achieve the goals set out in national and international guidelines.
Referring to the ICT training and assistive technology provided by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology the Secretary-General said it aims to build the capacity of teachers and Secondary, deaf and albino teachers in the use of ICTs and assistive technologies to improve teaching in teacher and school colleges. secondary schools in the country.
He added that the training would provide them with knowledge and skills about the system, features and functionality of computers, use of assistive audio and computer development programs, gain networking skills in searching and sending information on websites and emails as well as using fully electronic content in teaching and learning.
On the other hand, Acting Education Commissioner Paulina Mkonongo said that the training is a sustainable strategy for the Government to ensure quality education is provided to all groups including strengthening on-the-job training for this specific group.
Earlier Acting Assistant Director of Special Education Greyson Mlanga explained that the training had a total of 140 special needs members, including 37 deaf, blind and 103 blind students from government teaching colleges and high school teachers in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the training participants, Morogoro Training Instructor Godfrey Omary said he applauds the Government for providing the training as it goes into technical constraints but will also reduce dependency and increase efficiency.
Training on the use of ICT and assistive technology for teachers and trainers and special needs has begun today and is expected to conclude on February 05, 2020.
