A
five-day training on translating print text to braille for the visually
impaired school children has been wrapped-up at the Regional Education
Directorare (RED 2) Region 2 Brikama, West Coast Region, on Friday, 5th
December, 2019.
The
weeklong training programme was funded by World Bank funded project and first
of its kind in The Gambia. The project was meant to train 10 polyvalent
itinerant teachers including IT Technicians from region 1 & 2 on the usage
and maintenance of a new braille embosser that can translate print text into
braille for children with disabilities.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the
training, Sarjo Bajinka, Education Officer, Special Need Education Unit, MoBSE,
said the training was very important in providing the requisite knowledge and
skill to equip itinerant teachers and IT Technicians on the technical know- how
to operate the machine and be able to provide the required information for the
visually impaired school children.
He
noted that printing text into braille forms a vital component in the Ministry’s
drive for all inclusive in the education system for equal opportunity to all
school children regardless of their ability or disability to learn.
Yankuba Kujabi, focal point for Special Need
Education Unit, Region 2 said the ministry has all-inclusive education policy
in providing education for school children. This is particularly those with
different kind of disabilities in the mainstream system. He emphasising that
with the normal school children disability doesn’t mean inability.
He
disclosed that polyvalent itinerant teachers were trained in four main areas;
visual, hearing, physical impairment and learning difficulties to manage and
handle the disabilities children. He added that it has been very effective and
student have performed excellently in their various schools up to college and
tertiary level.
Lamin
Fatajo, Director Regional Education Office (RED2) Region 2 expressed delight
for the training.
“In
the Constitution of The Gambia, every child at school going age must have
access to education without discrimination in tribe, locality and disability,”
he emphasised.
He thanked The Gambia Government and the
Ministry of Basic Secondary Education for such initiatives that will ensure
effective learning process. In an extension he thanked Rolf Inge Knutli from
Braillo Company Norway, Eke Chrysantus Chibuike, assistant trainer and Hon.
Chika Charles Nwosu, MD/CEO Chikatex Inter Biz for their wonderful coordination
and facilitation of the training to reduce challenges for the polyvalent
itinerant teachers in the execution of their duties.
Among
other speakers, Anna Nancy Mendy, Principal Education Officer for special need
education unit, MOBSE, Rolf Inge Knutli, Braillo Company Consultant, Pa Sarja
Jatta, one of the trainees delivered vote of thanks.
Certificates
were also issues to all the trainees.
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