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"content": "I rise to make a statement on an issue of general topical concern regarding the poor state of schools of leaners with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Article 54(1)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya provides for the right of learners with disabilities to access educational institutions and facilities that are integrated into society to the extent compatible with the interest of the persons. Whereas the Constitution actually demands this, schools and institutions of children with disabilities have a number of challenges. Some of the challenges these institutions face include the lack of teachers, basic needs, medication, instructional materials and quite a number of basic things. Mr. Speaker, Sir, a recent example that was aired in the mainstream media is the case of Kabarnet School for the Deaf and Blind. This school was started a long time ago but it goes through quite a number of challenges. The deaf-blind leaners do not have enough teachers. Because they are unable to see or hear, they need individualized attention. Currently, the ratio of special need teachers to students at the Deaf Unit is one to seven. This problem does not only affect Kabarnet School for the Deaf and Blind, but also the deaf and blind units in Mumias School, Kedowa Special School and other special institutions for the deaf-blind children. Deaf-blind learners need individualized attention. There is need for teachers to be with the leaners from the beginning to the end of the day. As I speak now, schools for the deaf-blind in Kedowa, Nakuru or even in Garissa are understaffed. I recently visited Kimwanga Special School in Bungoma County and I was shocked by what I saw. The infrastructure in the school is not enough. There were only two classrooms to accommodate all the learners from Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE), kindergarten up to class eight. Surely, when you are talking of two classrooms to serve from Pre-Primary to Class Eight; that is an issue that is of great concern. What I found in the school was that in one corner of a room, there was Class One. In another corner of a room, there was Class Two. In another corner, there was Class Three and then Class Four.This is not a good state for this country. The schools for children with impaired hearing, deaf and blind are wanting in terms of infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, Sir, even when I went to Kimwanga Special School in Bungoma, I found that there was only one Teachers Service Commission(TSC) teacher who was the headmistress and was due to retire in February. As we speak now, that teacher has already retired. She retired in February, but she had to press on and remain in the school until a replacement was brought. So, the TSC sent only one teacher to replace the headmistress. Currently, in that school, there is only one TSC teacher and the others are employed by the board. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also want to talk about the issue of capitation. When it comes to capitation in special schools, the Government sends only Kshs2,000 per child. This money is not enough because the demands of children with special needs are really big. Even the Kshs2,000 is not sent in good time. This money is sent after three or six months. As we speak, even the teachers who are employed by the board of management are not paid on time because the money is not there. So, most of the schools are in arrears. This means that they cannot even buy food and drugs for the students. They cannot even provide basic items for the students. 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."
}