Teachers trained in handling children with special needs

SOUTHERN PROVINCE MUHANGA — Primary school teachers in Muhanga district have started training in inclusive education. The training, sponsored by Handicap International, kicked off in Rongi sector on November 19, at the request of the district education office. One school was selected in each of the sectors where the training is taking place. The first trainees are expected to train their colleagues and other community members in the area. Pélagie Bazizane, of Handicap International, said that the training is aimed at building the capacity of teachers to handle children with special needs in Muhanga. “Inclusive education is important for handicapped children, and addresses issues of stigma and high costs of education for handicapped children,” Bazizane said. She added that the training would make teachers treat all children at school equally. During the training, the teachers would be equipped with skills in identifying special needs, counselling, and establishing mechanisms and the necessary tools to address problems of children with special needs in the education system. Talking to The New Times, the trained primary school teachers expressed optimism that the new skills would improve the performance of primary schools in general. Area local leaders also noted that handicapped children in the area have previously not been given the necessary attention- which has led to some of them dropping out of school. Ends