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Mangaliso Kabulika
CHILD advocate Tinashe Mgodi has called for early enrolment of children and adolescents with disabilities in schools to achieve meaningful inclusion.
Mgodi said early enrolment allows children with disabilities to benefit from specialised educational programmes and therapies that foster their cognitive, physical and social development.
He called for the provision of disability-inclusive learning materials and information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support the educational journey of children and adolescents with disabilities.
Tinashe said there is a need for early talent identification for children with disabilities and exposing such talents to global opportunities.
“No child should be declared unsuitable for school placement regardless of their physical condition.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all children and adolescents with disabilities are given equal access to education
“We want a society where every child is able to reach their full potential regardless of their abilities.
“There is a need for tailored learning materials and ICTs, which can empower these children with the tools they need to thrive academically and prepare them for independent living.
“We also call for stakeholders in the educational sector to identify, nurture and groom early talents of these children and expose them to global opportunities.
“Not all children and adolescents with disabilities are academically gifted, but they can excel in sports, arts and culture ventures,” said Mgodi.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge