By Wendy Mkandawire
The Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi, FEDOMA, has called on the government to allocate more resources to schools for learners with visual and hearing impairments, citing worsening learning poverty in resource centers across the country.
Speaking in an interview FEDOMA Executive Director Symon Munde stated that schools for the blind and the deaf are struggling with basic supplies compared to previous years, particularly during the Kamuzu Banda era when resource centers were well supported and students were not sent back home.
Munde stated that in the past, especially during the Kamuzu Banda era, resource centers were well supported, and education was progressing more smoothly than it is now, where education is being hindered.
He further said that students were not being sent back home, but right now they are struggling with learning poverty in resource centers compared to previous years.
Munde cited Embangweni School for the Deaf as an example, noting that the government previously provided resources on time, including food and learning materials.
He said most of these schools are now struggling, especially with food supplies.
” the Malawi Council for the Handicapped in past years was vibrant, very robust, and effective, and ran strong outreach programs, including the provision of hearing aids, which he says now have vanished”, he added.
FEDOMA says increased government funding is critical to ensure learners with disabilities access quality education and essential support services.
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About the Writer
Wendy Mkandawire is executive reporter for Leyman Publications based in Lilongwe, Malawi. |
