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{
    "id": 836100,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/836100/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 394,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "important that we are fair to the deaf learners. It is only fair that this Senate moves with speed and ensures that the deaf learner gets quality education. When we are talking of quality education, we have sign language that is predominantly used by the deaf. Sign language, that is used in Kenya predominantly, can help the deaf learner acquire the essentials of the English language. I am not talking as a Senator but as a teacher who was in the classroom with the learners and I saw how they suffered. There is need for the Senate to intervene. Right now materials are not being developed for children with special needs and especially the deaf. There is need for the Government to ensure that it sets aside money at the national level for purposes of developing instructional materials that will help in deaf education. This should cascade to the county governments. All counties need to set aside money for purposes of developing instructional materials, not only for the deaf learners, but also for all children with special needs. It is right that the Nation walks its talk; it is just right that counties also walk their talk when it comes to inclusion. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we cannot talk of inclusion and the slogan, “leave no one behind;” we cannot talk about mainstreaming when, in actual sense, we are not practicing and implementing inclusion in this country. We will be judged harshly. I remember the time when the Government intervened with regards to special needs, when it decided to go into partnership with the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). As a result of that partnership, they were able to train teachers, including those with special needs. We, nonetheless, need sign language linguists. There is need to introduce sign language linguistics courses in our universities so that teachers are trained in this area. The few teachers available in the field are even confused on how to teach the learners. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, deaf learners have become a charitable society and a pity paradigm. This should come to an end. I strongly believe that if this Senate stands on it is feet, it is going to leave a recommendable mark. Many people will say, “Yes, the Twelfth Parliament intervened and now there is no issue with lack of materials in schools with special needs.” I am suggesting that the national Government sets aside money under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, which should be the custodian of the special education materials. The county government should also set aside money for the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), because we do not want to leave our children behind. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am a person with disability and, apart from that, I have taught learners in a special school. I have witnessed what they are going through and there is need for interventions to be done. It is only fair that justice is not delayed for our deaf learners. Learners in other schools have story books, for example, to encourage them to become English literate. All mechanisms are put in place for them, but what is happening to our deaf learners? There is need for this country to move with speed and see how to intervene. I know the President is very keen about people with special needs. For this Senate to leave a mark, it has to back up the President so that the he is aware that Senators are thinking, The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}