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{
    "id": 799840,
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    "content": "disabilities who are educable to access this language and be able to use it effectively in forms of signing and writing, so that they benefit like everybody else. When we are talking about the importance of Kiswahili, we see that it is also recognised in the African Union (AU). It comes out strongly as a unifying language. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, looking at Article 43(1)(f) of our Constitution, it comes out clearly that education is an economic and social right and not a privilege. It is mandatory and it is enshrined in the constitution that everyone must have access to education. That being the case, it means that the hearing-impaired child should also access Kiswahili language because it is a requirement in the constitution. It comes out clearly that everyone has a right to free and compulsory education as a basic requirement. Article 54(b) of the Constitution also comes out clearly that even children with special needs should be able to access education that is compatible with their needs. Therefore, learning Kiswahili is compatible with the needs of the hearing impaired. Children with hearing impairment have a linguistic challenge. If they do not access Kiswahili at an early age, they will then be disadvantaged. What happens then? When others climb up the ladder, they will not be able to climb the ladder and they are going to fossilize somewhere. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, education is also very important when we want to address issues of poverty, even among PLWDs. There is no way we can address the issue of poverty among them and their families if we do not address the issue of education. It is this education that will help them break the chain of poverty that revolves in their families. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, education is quite important as an agent of socialization. This means that even the hearing impaired will need to be socialised in order to relate with people beyond their category. They should not only relate with the hearing impaired. Education is a way of expanding their minds so that they are even able to relate with those who are not hearing impaired. The world is a global village. If we access education, it also helps us to access the rest of the world. It also helps in creating positive change in people. Children with disabilities have an issue because from the onset, they are marginalised, even in their families. However, when they access education, they look at things positively and even the society will view them positively. A person with disability and an education comes out differently compared to one without an education because they can mingle very well with the rest of society. If it was not for the education that I got from my early childhood, I would not be here, because nobody would understand me. That is why we are saying that it is only fair that this House helps to ensure that fairness in education is given to the hearing impaired children so that they can access the Kiswahili language. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, education gives us a platform to be in the workplace and in the marketplace. If the hearing impaired children are not given that quality education, there is no way they can get a job. That is why we have very many children who are hearing impaired dropping out of our universities and many of them not working because of the background they have. They do not have the right education that would place them in the world market. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}