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{
    "id": 1087433,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1087433/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 210,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Milgo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13174,
        "legal_name": "Milgo Alice Chepkorir",
        "slug": "milgo-alice-chepkorir"
    },
    "content": "The county governments are also responsible for developing implementation policies, strategies and standards for this Act. They are also supposed to provide funding necessary for development education standards and identify trainees with special needs. To this effect, they are supposed to develop Educational Assessment and Resource Centers (EARC). Currently, there are no EARC centres. In the course of our interrogation, we asked them how they identified those with hearing impairment, the blind and those with mental cases. They would simply say that they had built ramps. Somebody imagines that all Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) simply need a ramp. A ramp is not the end of the story. There are other PWDs who need assistive aids and devices. Therefore, they must put up EARC centres for identification and placement. Clause 5(g) speaks to public awareness and advocacy. As a Committee, we realised there is stigmatization. Normally, students do not want to join these institutions because they imagine such institutions are for failures and those who are desperate. County governments are encouraged to create awareness on the importance of the skills that are developed in VETCs. Madam Temporary Speaker, under Clause 5(h), county governments are supposed to collaborate with international, national and local institutions to provide vocational education and training. They should also promote circulation and access to up-to-date and timely information on vocational education and training. Clause 6 speaks to the role of management of VETCs. That is set under Clause 6(a) up to (g). They must put in place necessary structures; employ qualified instructors; administer the curriculum that is already in place; ensure provision of quality service; and, ensure the premises are built based on occupational health and safety regulations in the building standards prescribed under this Act. They must provide necessary training and learning material and equipment and meet such other requirements prescribed under this Act. Clause 7 speaks to a trainee with special needs. As a Committee, we advocate for integrated centres, which are cheaper to run compared to each county developing a special needs centres for the blind, hearing impaired and mental case. If they are integrated to the main school, these children with special needs will be integrated very easily even to the society. However, if we take them to a separate institution, they will feel unwanted and that they are not part of the society. Clause 7(2)(a) continues to speak about the necessary infrastructure to provide an all-inclusive education, where we have all children including those with special needs. Clause 7(2)(b) speaks to necessary facilities. I said equipment will be useful to those with hearing impairment, the blind and other types of disabilities. Clause 7(2)(d) specifies capacity building for the trainers. Under (e), the necessary special facilities are set out. Clause 7(2)(f) sets out the measures to acquire assistive aids and devices. We found out that some governors were buying assistive aids and devices at very exorbitant prices. They ignore procurement procedures when buying them. We have stipulated that these assistive aids and devices must be those that are affordable but useful to those who need them. Clause 7(3) speaks to how the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) shall ensure that PWDs are trained, accommodated and receive and effective curriculum. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}