Ministry of Education, Science and Technology says it is training teachers on how to help learners with special needs get quality education under Building Education Foundations Through Innovation and Technology (Befit) programme.
The ministry’s spokesperson Lily Kampani, speaking on Wednesday during a media tour of Linthipe Primary School in Dedza District to inspect how the programme is promoting literacy and numeracy among junior learners, said there was more to be done to reach out to as many learners with special needs as they can.
“Currently, the teachers are being trained to assist children with special needs. Of course, we are not yet there to accommodate all the children,” she said.
Kampani said the programme has improved literacy and numerical skills among learners in the country.
“Learners have shown more interest to attend lessons and they are more confident,” she said.
Mawonde Zone primary education adviser Joseph Mponda expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the programme in the district.
He said the district has 23 583 learners from 32 schools in seven zones benefitting from the programme.
“The implementation of the programme is going on well as it has improved learners’ performance,” said Mponda.
In his remarks, Linthipe Primary School head teacher Newton Chafukira said their school has 96 tablets benefitting against 300 learners from standard one to four.
He said the programme has helped to reduce school drop outs and absenteeism.
“Our learners can read Chichewa and count numbers orderly,” said Chafukira.
One of the parents, Chikondi Raphael said her child can now read, courtesy of the programme.
“Parents understand the importance of the programme. Previously, traditional leaders were using gule wamkulu to force children to school, but now they are able to go to school on their own,” he said.
