Hlatikhulu Central’s disability awareness day
NHLANGANO – Hlatikhulu Central High School, which was recently incorporated to the inclusive education programme along with 21 other schools, yesterday hosted an awareness day for people with disabilities.
The message was that people with disability are welcome to learn at the school.
The event took place at the school and started with a walk around the community surrounding the school.
It was said that some families kept persons with disabilities at home, yet they were supposed to be at school.
Speaking during the event, Shiselweni Special Needs Schools Inspector Thulani Gamedze said there were currently six schools in the region that had inclusive education.
He said they noted that more schools could be added, as long as there was a need.
Encouraging
He said one was Qinisweni High School, which was doing very well, hence they were encouraging schools to take care of the pupils. Gamedze mentioned that there were still challenges among some teachers who were not able to identify pupils with special needs, because they had minor disabilities. Gamedze adding that the teachers were continuously capacitated to note such pupils.
Meanwhile, Qinisweni Primary teacher Thembinkosi Mabuza, who is visually impaired, said no child was supposed to be kept at home and not taken to school.
He narrated that he also got to learn to use Braille, but when he was supposed to go to work, he had to learn to use a chalkboard.
He said parents had to be patient with the children and prepare them for school every day.
He also encouraged the pupils not to give up, adding that with time, they were going to adjust. Hlatikhulu Central High School Head teacher Clement Khumalo said the Ministry of Education and Training’s move to capacitate teachers, was helpful, as they knew how to take care of children who need special care during lessons. He further shared that they have requested laptops as well as other equipment to assist the pupils learn for the programme to be a success.