The Principal of Ngala Secondary School for the hearing impaired Ms. Pauline Kimani has appealed to the government and well-wishers to assist them to raise funds for the expansion of a boys’ dormitory since the current one cannot accommodate the ever-increasing enrollment at the institution.
Kimani said the increased awareness of successful special education in the country has encouraged many parents to enroll their children since they are aware that the 2010 constitution reserves five percent employment for them in both public and private intuitions.
She said the boys’ dormitory which was constructed in 2012 when the secondary side of the primary was established was meant for 160 but the number has surpassed and currently, some of them are sleeping in one of the classrooms.
The Principal said while the higher enrollment was a positive achievement, there was an urgent need for continued expansion of the school because unlike in the past when parents were only contented with primary education for their special children, the attitude has changed, and they want more and better.
“In the past, many parents with hearing impaired children simply wanted them to learn the sign language and grow up in a secure environment that accepted them fully, unlike the abusive and judgmental society,” she said.
She commended parents from Samburu and Narok counties who have sent the majority of the boys to the institution, adding that Education for All (EFA) was no longer a pipe dream but a reality.
Apart from that, she said despite the school being mixed, the girls were fewer because parents prefer their daughters to study at the special schools with one gender.
Kimani said the Kenya Government has achieved immense strides in special education compared to other African countries, and for that, the school was known internationally and numerous research studies have been carried out at both the Primary and Secondary sides.
Additionally, she said the Kenya National Special Needs Education Policy Framework (2009) supports the research and development of SNE.
The Kenya Society for the Deaf has been pushing for the inclusion of sign language in the school syllabus to enable all learners in the country understand it. Currently, all government functions incorporate a sign language interpreter and churches plus media houses have taken the cue.
By Veronica Bosibori
