PS Education Belio Kipsang is supposed to appear before the National Assembly Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity as it seeks to resolve the prickly issue of capitation for Special Schools in the country. There has been immense pressure on the state to raise more funding and support for such institutions to better cater to the needs for learners with special needs.
Government Policies on Special Needs Education
During the appearance, PS Kipsang is expected to outline various policies put in place by the government in enhancing infrastructure development in Special Schools. The intention is to focus on providing a conducive learning environment for students with special needs. The policies to be outlined are likely to include updates regarding the development and maintenance of school facilities to ensure accessibility and equipment that would answer to the educational needs of these learners.
Curriculum and Co-Curricular Support
PS Kipsang will elaborate on the curriculum and co-curricular activities that have been designed to support mentally handicapped learners under CBC. Basically, he’ll need to assure ths committee that CBC framework offers an education that allows for flexibility and adaptiveness for holistic development for each student, regardless of special needs.
Call for Increased Capitation
In April, the National Assembly Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity, led by Mandera East MP Yusuf Adan Haji, asked the Education Ministry to raise the capitation to each special needs learners in school by 100 per cent. The appeal was informed by special challenges requiring varied middle-level special equipment, more trained staff, and appropriate infrastructure.
Special Schools and the Challenges
There are myriad reasons as to why Special Schools in Kenya are faced with challenges in funding, acquisition of resources, and special training of teachers. While touring St. Jude Malaba Special School for the mentally challenged, MP Yusuf Adan Haji reiterated the need to give special attention to such schools, ensuring no student with special needs was left behind, as asserted by the government in its quest for inclusive education.
Advocacy by the Kenya Society of the Blind
Kenya School of Blind (KSB) has also reacted to the current issues regarding funding for special needs schools. KSB Executive Director Samson Waweru has noted the difference in funding requirements between special needs and regular schools. Using a comparison of the high cost of a braille machine compared to a pen, he called for a higher allocation for the same reason: that these schools have special and critical needs to be met.