Ministry says Sh427m set aside for persons with disabilities

By CHARLES NGENO

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality teaching and learning to persons with disabilities.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi, in a speech read on his behalf by the Senior Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education Isaiah Nyaribo, said the government has set aside Sh427.2 million for education of learners with special needs in primary and secondary levels.

“These funds will benefit 16,606 learners with disabilities and special educational needs of which 5,632 are blind,” said Prof Kaimenyi, during the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust fifth anniversary dinner.

The funds will be used in procurement of instructional materials, Braille and other assistive devices.

He revealed that a further Sh100 million has also been allocated to technical training institutes for learners with disabilities and special educational needs.

He said the government has trained teachers in special needs education at the Kenya Institute of Special Education as well as provided transcripted materials from the Kenya Institute of the Blind and digitised material fron the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.

“The Joint Admission Board has embraced affirmative action for candidates with disabilities by lowering the entry requirement by two points,” said Nyaribo.

“More than 650 Braille machines, at a cost of Sh43.5 million, are needed. Sh4.3 for repair and maintenance while Sh6.4 million is needed for provision of assistive technology,” he said.