She mentioned
among the skills acquired in this workshop
include counseling skills, life skills education
and sensitize them on education Act specifically
focusing on visually impaired learners and their
inclusion in the mainstream education/schools.
Facilitators are Roman Catholic Priest Gabriel
Tlaba, Mampoi Theko from Mohale’s hoek and
Mapuseletso Sakoane from Special Education in
Maseru.
Among the challenges raised are lack of teaching
aids and Braille text books, lack of special
education skilled teachers, overcrowding in few
special schools, and no motivation or incentives
for special education teachers.
The participants therefore recommend the
ministry of education to solicit funds to ensure
teachers that teach children with disabilities
receive hardship allowance.
There is a need for schools that integrate
children with visual disabilities to ensure that
their teachers learn Braille to be able to
supervise visually impaired children in class
especially in the mainstream school where
visually impaired children join when in grade 4.
The teachers appealed to Ministry of education
to ensure all trained teachers on Braille
computers to receive Braille computers to
practice their skills in preparation for Braille
notes for children.
They recommend for a fort nightly integration
meeting between Resource Centre for the Blind
and St. Bernadette Primary school to allow
smooth integration of children with disabilities
to the mainstream schools.
They appealed to the special education
specialists from the Ministry should play their
strategic roles to ensure smooth integration of
children with disability to the mainstream
schools by monitoring the program regularly and
offer assistance where it is needed.
Participants thanked facilitators for organizing
this training workshop at the time when children
with disability are increasing. They also
thanked for group counseling and psychosocial
support that refreshed their energy and ready to
help the children with all their heart.
This training is funded under Round 7 HIV and
AIDS grant that aimed at empowering children
with disability with necessary skills to have a
better and viable future.
