Special need schools seek help to fight coronavirus

Special needs schools say they have been neglected in preparations towards resumption of learning.

They want the national government to provide necessities like lockers and books in braille form for the blind to facilitate learning once the schools reopen.

According to some head teachers, the State has failed to distribute materials that will ensure full compliance with Ministry of Health protocols.

Before the closure of the schools in March, many institutions for the blind, deaf and children living with mental and physical health issues had infrastructural and manpower challenges.

While Covid-19 has had a negative impact in almost every sector of the economy, head teachers in special need schools are still struggling on how they will ensure learners comply with health protocols.

Benedict Wanjala, head teacher at Mwikhome Special School of the Deaf in Lurambi constituency, said the institutions are poorly funded making observance of health guidelines a tall order.

The Kenya Union of the Blind officials last week made a raft of recommendations to the government to keep special need schools safe when learning resumes.

Led by Jackson Omkwana, they want all health protocols published in braille form.

He said the union is working with Kenya Institute for the Blind and other partners to make guidelines from the Health ministry accessible to special needs learners.