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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
Community outreach programs that were recently held for disabled children’s parents has started bearing fruits as more than 20 children have been registered to start school next year in Makoni District’s Ward 12 alone.
In an interview, Makoni District Schools Inspector, Mr George Chidhakwa said the number of children that are being registered for school after the outreach programs is encouraging.
He said while they did not have the exact number for the whole district, Ward 12’s figures show that parents in the district now understand the importance of educating children with disabilities.
“Every child has a right to education, it doesn’t matter whether they have an intellectual challenge or physical disability. Sections 75 and 81 of the Constitution reiterates children’s right to education.
“The fairs were conducted to raise that awareness in communities, mainly rural ones, and inform them that every child should be in school. We are glad to announce that the fairs were fruitful and come January next year, enrolment for children with disabilities will be massive,” he said.
Mr Chidhakwa also said while some parents want to enrol their children in school, they do not have the financial resources required to do so.
He, however, thanked development partner, Diocese of Mutare Community Care Programme (DOMCCP), for donating 24 wheelchairs to school-going children in the district.
He said the wheelchairs will help in lessening burdens for the children and their parents as they will enable the beneficiaries to attend school.
“DOMCCP partnered us in the outreach fairs and we are grateful for the wheelchairs donated to 24 children,” he said.
Ward 12 Councillor Esther Kamhera said she had mobilised at least 20 parents to enrol their disabled children in school.
She also said in her ward, at least 30 children are in need of wheelchairs.
DOMCCP director, Mr Robert Munhenga said after hearing that some children in Makoni District were not going to school because of physical challenges, his organisation had to chip in with the donations.
“We are not only donating wheelchairs to these children, but funding the construction of ramps at their schools to make it easier for them to move aorund,” he said.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 10 percent of Zimbabwe’s population is disabled.
Only 33 percent of children with disabilities have access to education, compared to 90 percent of their able bodied counterparts.
Online Reporter