Fount for Nations has asked chiefs and community members in Mzimba to formulate by-laws to promote inclusive education in the district.
The organisation’s advocacy and communications officer Connex Kafera made the call in Mzimba on Tuesday during a stakeholders meeting on inclusive education.
He said they are calling for by-laws to, among others, force parents to send their children with different disabilities to school.
Said Kafera: “We are implementing Pamodzi for Inclusive Education in South-East Africa Project that seeks to promote and improve the learning environment for learners with disabilities.
“Therefore, we want chiefs and stakeholders in Mzimba to formulate by-laws to promote inclusive education.”
He said there is a lot of stigma and discrimination that children with disabilities experience both at school and in communities.
In his remarks, Inkosi Kampingo Sibande said chiefs will engage all concerned stakeholders on how best they can formulate the by-laws.
He said there has been an increase in children with disabilities in the district, as such, it is important to create a conducive environment for them to learn and live.
“As chiefs, we are ready to work with stakeholders and the council to promote inclusive education in the district. We will champion the formulation of by-laws to make sure children with disabilities attend classes,” said Sibande.
Mzimba South district principal education officer Epimack Lwanja said apart from formulating the by-laws, there is need to invest in inclusive education to empower teachers and schools with skills to teach children with disabilities.
He said the education office in partnership with different stakeholders and partners is training teachers in the district on special needs education.
