Tharaka Nithi Women Representative, Susan Ngugi has asked both the national and county governments to consider allocating more funds to special schools in their annual budgets.
According to her, such institutions especially in her county had been neglected, with many leaders not interested in finding out the status of the schools and hence not conversant with the challenges special schools face.
The Woman Representative was speaking during a visit to Ikuu Special School in Chuka/Igambang’ombe Constituency in collaboration with the Child Welfare Society of Kenya.
“This visit is part of a sensitization program, and a way of showing the government that such schools still exist and need to be helped to run since most of the special children are often neglected and forgotten,”she said.
Ngugi emphasized on the need for such collaborative programs to ensure gaps in social protection and social services are filled and called on stakeholders such as non-governmental institutions and organizations to assist in empowering special schools across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, Peninah Wairima said the visit was to make sure they support the students to ensure smooth running of the institution with minimal interruptions to the school calendar for learners.
“Those who have not been in a position to be in school due to lack of food and resources can come back and be with the other learners because there is food. We will continue to visit the school to see how we can support them in future”, she said.
The Child Welfare Society supported the institution with 15 bags of maize, 5 bags of beans, 30 litres of cooking oil, 100 packets of sanitary towels, 260 exercise books, 260 pens, 260 pencils and 130 copies of mentorship books.
In addition, the welfare society donated two 10,000 litre water tanks.
Area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Justin Kithinji asked residents to support the school by purchasing artefacts and items designed and produced by the special school students as a way of empowering them and appreciating their talents, further asking the county government to consider allocating more funds to the school in the next budget.
Igambang’ombe MCA Njeru Ing’ara challenged elected leaders to go the extra mile in outsourcing funds and resources for their constituents to ensure the prosperity of the county through such initiatives.
The institution is a mixed day and boarding special school, with an enrolment of 151 students with special needs that include Intellectual Disability (ID), Severe Cerebral Palsy, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other with Multiple Disabilities.
The learners follow the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) system of education under Stage Based pathway for learners who may not be able to follow the Age Based pathway for normal learners.
The school has four levels of education namely Foundation, Intermediate, Pre-Vocational and Vocational and offers courses such as Carpentry and Joinery, Tailoring and Dress Making, Knitting, Beading and Ornament Making, Weaving and Tapestry, Embroidery, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, and Home Care and Cookery.
By David Mutwiri and Blaise Gitonga
