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"speaker_name": "Mr. Ojaamong",
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to second the Motion that has just been moved by hon. Prof. Olweny. The issue of children with special needs in Kenya needs real Government attention. This is because, I have been both a primary school teacher and a secondary school teacher. I know how difficult it is to take care of children with special needs. Currently, the Government is trying its level best, but I think the task ahead for the Government is too monumental to handle at ago. However, with proper planning, I think we can achieve a lot and see to it that children with special needs are catered for and live like other ordinary citizens. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, currently, in the primary schools, we have the special units. If I can just give examples of three primary schools in my constituency which have special units, you will find that out of 18 primary school teachers in a school, like, Kasinya, we have one classroom for the pupils with special needs. This has been classified from Standard I to Standard VIII. How does one single teacher handle, maybe, all the physically handicapped pupils from Standard I to Standard VIII? So, you will find that in most cases, these kids are just assembled under a tree or put in a hall. What kind of education are they getting? I think they are just being taken care of to keep them busy and not to give them quality education. That is why I stand to second this Motion and ask the Government to put effort and, at least, start one primary school that is well established and a secondary school for the children with special needs. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think the Government is doing something about it because two or three months ago, the districts were requested to submit names of, at least, one primary school where the Government could channel funds so that special schools for the challenged children can be established. It is my hope that in this Budget it will be put into practice, and that those schools will become operational. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding education for children with special needs, like those who have hearing problems, just as the previous speaker said - that educating a child with special needs is very expensive - hearing equipment is too expensive for ordinary people to afford. That is why we want the Government to intervene and, at least, provide hearing equipment, 2238 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 4, 2007 and other necessary equipment, to people with hearing disabilities. If you have ever come across mentally challenged people, you must know that a single teacher is not able to handle even one such person. You will find that a mentally challenged child might need two or three people to take care of him, and those will include a counsellor, and many other things, or, somebody who is well trained all round, so that he can handle the situation. So, training, or teaching, children with mental disability needs a lot of sacrifice. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is my view that even the teachers who take care of mentally disabled people tend to be given very low salaries. In fact, they just do charity work, whereas the job ahead of them is too challenging. Therefore, it is my appeal that teachers in those institutions, be they primary or secondary schools, should be given a very good pay compared to teachers in ordinary schools, so that they can be motivated and have the morale to teach and take care of these less fortunate people in our society. Regarding the physically disabled people, I would like to thank the Office of the Vice- President and Ministry of Home Affairs for trying its level best. At least, it organises clinics in districts and constituencies to try and find out the kind of disabilities these people have, unlike in the past when somebody could just come with a wheelchair for you, even if the nature of your disability is a crooked hand. This time round, the Office of the Vice-President and Ministry of Home Affairs goes round to conduct clinics to find out the nature of physical disabilities these people have, and then recommends the right equipment for them. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is my appeal, therefore, that the Government steps up efforts to give physically challenged people the right equipment, so that they are able to move around. I would also appeal to Members of Parliament, that from their Constituencies Development Fund allocations, they allocate these people some funds, so that they can get wheelchairs, walking sticks and any other equipment that might be necessary. That way, we might supplement the Office of the Vice-President and Ministry of Home Affairs efforts to ensure that these people also have something to use to enable them pursue their daily activities. When it comes to the blind, it so happens that this lot is usually very intelligent. I do not know how it happens. If you have ever been taught by a blind teacher, you have found that your performance in that subject was usually excellent. Unfortunately, blind teachers also have problems when they are out there. They need walking aids, people to take them round and show them what to do. Currently, the Government is trying to assist. It is paying blind teachers and other employees who are disabled some small honoraria. But the amount of money that is given is too little. Complications usually occur when blind teachers or employees retire. Despite the age, that person is left in thin air. They disappear that way and continue suffering. It is my appeal that those aids for the blind should be co-opted into our systems, whether it is the Civil Service or the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). That way, the disabled people could continue living normal lives while supporting their families. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I conclude, our Government is rich enough to take care of the physically challenged. There is no reason why we should have so many Assistant Ministers who are complaining that they are so idle and yet, they are earning hundreds of thousands of shillings. One hon. Member, while contributing to this Motion, said that to educate a child with special needs requires Kshs17,000. A sum of Kshs100,000 could take care of around five children who are physically challenged in one way or another. If our NARC dream, which we fought for so vigorously has been achieved--- We said that we are going to have a lean Government--- If this Government could go down memory lane, we only wanted 18 Ministers and around 32 Assistant Ministers. But now, we have over 90 Ministers and Assistant Ministers. If we could just cut down that number by a half and channel those funds to educate those with special needs, we shall be doing this country a lot of justice and good. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to second. July 4, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2239"
}