Nandi hills: Special Needs Education (SNE) teacher in charge of Nandi Hills Township primary, Bilha Chumba, has identified inadequate infrastructure as a significant barrier preventing special needs learners from accessing and benefiting from education effectively. Chumba, who has been teaching in the special unit for seven years, highlighted that many children remain unregistered in the special unit, often staying at home or attending nearby regular schools because their parents or caregivers cannot afford transportation costs.
According to Kenya News Agency, Chumba emphasized the scarcity of special needs schools, underscoring the necessity for sufficient infrastructure to accommodate boarding services for children living far away. She pointed out the critical need for specially designed chairs and tables to ensure classroom comfort, which are costly, necessitating increased funding.
Chumba also noted that the current teacher-to-pupil ratio, recommended by the ministry of education as 1:10, is often exceeded due to inadequate infrastructure, leading to a single teacher managing more than ten learners. She urged both well-wishers and the government to step in and support these special schools.
The teacher further stressed the high cost of learning materials required for effective SNE instruction, which are largely missing in many schools, thereby impeding successful learning outcomes. Chumba called for more community sensitization sessions about special needs education, highlighting that many parents, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, lack crucial information regarding the assessment and appropriate schooling for their children.
She also advocated for regular awareness sessions to foster community acceptance of children with special needs, which would help in reducing stigma and improving social integration with peers without challenges. Chumba shared her experience from when the SNE unit began, noting that parents often brought children without prior assessment, necessitating guidance to ensure proper school placement. She emphasized that some parents keep intellectually challenged children at home due to a lack of information.