‘Disabled kids should attend school’

Zanzibar ministers have warned parents to stop hiding children with disabilities. They have encouraged the parents to take their socially disadvantaged children to school so they open doors for them for the future.

Ms Fatma Abdulhabib Fereji

Ms Fatma Abdulhabib Fereji, a Minister of State (Disabilities) and Ms Zainab Omar Mohammed, the Minister for Social Welfare, Youths, Children and Women Development, issued the statement when they visited Upendo Centre for Deaf Children at Mwanakwerekwe on Unguja island.

They said that children with disabilities have talents just like other children and therefore they should not be denied the opportunity to prove their potential, since government policy pushes for education for all, including people with disabilities. “Let us show love to all children including those with disabilities,” Ms Fatma said.

Ms Zainab emphasised that the community has a great role to make sure that no children are hidden in homes. “Expose any parent who hides such a child. It is inhuman.” The ministers were also accompanied by a visitor from South Korea who donated writing equipment, school bags, shoes and toys for the deaf children at Upendo.

The centre, which was established in 2005 takes care of about 40 children with hearing impairments. Upendo centre secretary Mwanajuma Zahoro told the ministers that the centre was facing several challenges including shortage of skilled teachers who would handle deaf children.

She also said that there was a lack of equipment, transport facilities, increasing costs of renting the house they live in and poor pay for teachers.

By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News

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