Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara has stressed the need to address challenges special needs schools face to provide an inclusive and equitable education system.
The Speaker said this at Malingunde School for the Blind in Lilongwe on Friday when members of Parliament (MPs) donated assorted items worth K9 million to support the education of children with disabilities as part of Parliament Week.
Gotani Hara said lawmakers play a crucial role in addressing challenges faced by various groups of people, including those with physical disabilitieshools.
She said: “These institutions, such as the one in Malingunde, are often faced with significant difficulties, including shortage of resources.
“For example, Malingunde has 70 students, but has inadequate resources, highlighting the disparity that needs to be addressed.”
Gotani Hara said Parliament has the power to advocate for increased budgetary allocations for special needs education, adding that this would ensure that schools receive more resources and equipment, enabling students to access better education.
She also encouraged MPs to lobby for additional support from other organisations and development partners to secure further resources and funding for special needs schools.
“We deeply appreciate the invaluable work of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in transforming the lives of children with visual impairments,” said Gotani Hara.
In an interview, the school’s teacher in-charge Vincent Mathanki said the donation will go a long way in supporting the students, considering the numerous challenges the school faces.
He said: “One of our biggest challenges is a shortage of food supplies. With 70 learners to feed, it is difficult to provide for their needs with the limited budget we have.
“Additionally, teaching and learning materials are expensive, and we struggle to provide our learners with the resources they need.”
Mathanki said the challenges impact the learners’ education.
The Parliament Week was aimed at raising awareness about the functions and operations of Parliament.
During the week, Parliament showcased various services offered by the secretariat and for the first time, Parliament met at Dedza Stadium as one way of bringing Parliament closer to the people.
The activities concluded with a donation to Malingunde School for the Blind.
