adminLeonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government has introduced scholarships for people living with different kinds of disabilities whose fees will be fully paid through the Department of Social Welfare.
The programme targets vulnerable and marginalised people living with disabilities.
For one to qualify for the programme they should have passed their Ordinary or Advanced Levels examinations and Government will take over all tertiary education expenses after securing a place with a college.
The scholarship also covers those without O and A-levels but with an ability to read and write and they are sent for vocational training where they are taught various life skills.
Matabeleland North Provincial Social Welfare Officer Mr Macnon Chirizepi said the province has 31 people living with disabilities learning at Bulawayo Polytechnic, Harare Polytechnic, Lupane State University, Solusi University and Jairos Jiri Technical College.
Eighteen more are at Ruwa Vocational Training Centre where they are doing either technical courses or vocational training on full Government scholarship.
“The programme has been there but more people living with disabilities are now taking it up. In the province we have 31 beneficiaries drawn from each district who are being assisted with education by the Government,” he said.
Binga and Bubi have five each, Hwange and Nkayi have four each, Lupane and Tsholotsho three each while seven are from Umguza.
“This year we have managed to send 18 people with disability to Ruwa Vocational Training Centre where they are training in various skills. On this category we are looking at anyone who has the ability to read and write who can do leather work and sewing among others.
“Some of them are doing technical courses such as motor mechanic, electrical engineering, accounting, computer science and these qualified by virtue of having passed O-level,” added Mr Chirinzepi.
Mr Chirinzepi said the province had close to 5 000 households headed by people with disability. He added that with the total number of people living with disabilities presumably higher, it was important that they attain skills training to be able to sustain themselves and their families.
In the province, only Fatima School has facilities for people with disability although there are many other schools dotted around the country such as King George, John Slaven and Sir Humphrey Gibbs in Bulawayo, Mathew Rusike in Harare, Kapota in Masvingo and others.
Meanwhile, 201 people with albinism from the province have also benefited from sunscreen lotion donated to Government by Friends of People with Albinism.
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