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{
    "id": 1251958,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1251958/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 409,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mungatana, MGH",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I support this Bill because it is attempting to solve some of the problems that are affecting children who are differently abled. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there is another problem and I wish this Bill would insert a clause somewhere. This same old man said that although it was his wish that this child would continue to live and go to the same school until he finishes primary school, children of his age kept on laughing and mocking him whenever he went to the school latrine. They were wondering how he was going to help himself when the need arises. So, the father started providing diapers. However, over time, the psychological damage on this child, affected him to the point that he had to drop out of school and the parents had to look for a different way to get him educated. This speaks to one of the gaps that exist in this Bill; awareness. There needs to be a clause that will force in the curriculum of education, from a very early age, that children are taught that there are others who are not like them. They do not have all the functions with them and they are still children like them. They are going to their school and they need to accept them. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it took a long time before the one-third gender rule was accepted. It took a long time before the issue of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) was accepted and mainstreamed. It would be a very important addition if this education curriculum can be enriched to include the awareness of children at an early age, to be told that they need to know that there are others who are not like them. By doing so, they will accept those who have difficulties in school. It would be useful if awareness finds a way into this Bill. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, children with disabilities come in different forms; it is not just physical. The Bill does not seem to address this. This is another gap and I hope the promoters will look at. I know Sen. (Prof.) Kamar is a very thorough person and she is taking notes. These children not only have a physical disability, there are those who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), SPE and those who have intellectual content, which is very low. There are also those who just lose their motor skills. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, they become vulnerable. So, the gap I see in this Bill is that there is no special provision for the protection of these children. Already, we know that even normal children have been taken advantage of by predators but this becomes doubly serious with children who have various disabilities. They cannot even talk, defend themselves or even say anything about what happened to them. We need to have a clause or a provision that creates that extra responsibility. It is not just for parents to take these children to school and leave it there. However, extra responsibility should be given to those caregivers who receive these children and spend the day with them. This Bill should give special protection to these children so that they are not taken advantage of when they are brought to those learning areas. Otherwise, I am very happy with Sen. (Prof.) Kamar and Sen. Crystal Asige for the work they have put into this Bill."
}