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{
    "id": 1166345,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1166345/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 143,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "centres, registration of private special needs education centers, admission of learners with special needs and a process for that, special school boards, establishment of parents’ associations, responsibility of governance and facilities in institution providing for special needs et cetera . Part V of the Bill talks about the identification and assessment of children with special needs, registration of learners with special needs, identification of the same and establishment of special needs education advisory boards. Quite a number of institutions have been created in this Bill. It will be very important to have a hierarchy of these institutions and the same integration with the current Education Act, so that there is concurrence of which board operates to what level. There is one operating at school level and another at the county level. However, how much power does the one operating under the county level have vis-à-vis the one in the Education Act. The Standing Committee on Education which is the sponsor of the Bill needs to interact with so that we have a sense of the situation on the ground. This is because every time we create various institutions, then we have a situation where the institutions will deny that they have those responsibilities because it is about power. I will give examples of some of the clauses that speak to these responsibilities as we continue to integrate this. This Bill goes to look at the integration of the various institutions, including the TSC being put on board with responsibilities. The responsibilities of governing bodies and disqualification from receiving funding for those who have not kept to certain rules. Quality assurance is key and has been mentioned. I have given an example where it is important that quality assurance is put in place. Most of the time when we talk of special needs, we just make assumptions about key specific special needs categories. Many a time we deal with what is physically seen. However, we have special needs that might not be obvious to us. For example, schizophrenic and maniac attacks and others that can come as a result of psychological processes. At the point of registration and having somebody at the level of the county who is able to vet the children, is very important. This Bill also talks about the registration of home based special education learners and what it means. We know that in many communities many times, children are put aside and not allowed to even interact with activities of the family. This Bill does very specific good in terms of this field. For example, it helps to provide a framework for the realization of the right of education. It also provides standards which are very key to provide uniformity across each country. Clause 4 of the Bill states that every person shall in formulating the functions under this Act be guided by various principles. I will talk about (g) which states that such persons should ensure the intervention are based on objective information and methods and that the monitoring mechanisms are regular and evaluations are established. At the end of the day, the special needs learners should make something out for themselves. I heard Sen. M. Kajwang’ mention that there is always a very special gift with people and students who have special needs and it is a question of identifying what it is. As a result, there is a talent. They might have one issue, but they have many other benefits they can bring on board. The roles for county governments and national Government are well stipulated in this Bill. The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution talks about delivery of special needs 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."
}