Chronicle Editor
Nelson Masukume, Sunday News Correspondent
COMMUNITIES have been encouraged to foster inclusive education and ensure that no child is left behind in the Government’s goal of education for all.
This came out during a community outreach programme that was held at Mbembeswana Primary School in Bubi District, Matabeleland North where scores of parents, community leaders, teachers and children with different forms of disability converged to participate in a community outreach programme.
The programme was co-hosted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and various non-governmental organisations operating in several wards in Bubi District.
Addressing participants at the outreach, Matabeleland North Deputy Provincial Education Director, Mr Themba Ndlovu said the purpose of the programme was to bolster community awareness and dialogue on several Government programmes and collaborations with stakeholders aimed at promoting inclusive education in both primary and secondary schools across the province.
“Schools working in synergies with parents and many other key stakeholders in the province, have a common curriculum and constitutional mandate and responsibility to ensure that all children and youths with different forms of abilities and disability are at school to pursue various learning areas and skills under the competence based curriculum.
“This programme resonates well with the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is calling upon all communities to accord their children a learning opportunity in order to lay a foundation for future roles in nation building,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He encouraged parents to prioritise education in order to curb crime among youths who are not at school.
Speaking at the same event, Bubi District Schools Inspector Mr Kevin Mathe challenged parents and schools to take advantage of Government subsidy on education.
“We must find relief in that Government cushions all parents against the payment of fees through such facilities as the Basic Education Assessment Module (BEAM) facility, “ said Mr Mathe.
Mrs Sinini Marandu, the district schools remedial tutor also underscored the value and place of inclusive education in communities.
She urged all parents to bring forward to schools all children with different forms of disabilities saying the Ministry had Special Needs Education facilities and trained human resources with expertise and experience to assist those children.
Mrs Thoko Nhongo the programmes officer at Bekezela Homebased Care, said her organisation does not compete but complements schools in their drive to promote comprehensive Sexual Health Education through their Sexual Health and Rights Education programmes taught in schools and communities.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, National Aids Council (NAC) and Bubi District Development (DDC) also had chances to address the audience on their different roles in the promotion of inclusive education in schools and communities.
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