PLWDs demand for more special schools

The country currently has only five schools for People Living With Disabilities (PLWD). The shocking news was revealed by the president of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, Gaston Rusiha, during the organization’s Christmas celebration for children living with disabilities. He stressed that there was need for more schools so that PLWDs could study in an environment that catered for their special needs.. “We are working with the Ministry of Education and the Rwanda Housing Authority to ensure that all public buildings, and schools in particular, are easily accessible and user friendly to people with disabilities,” Rusiha said. He said schools and other buildings not only need ramps for wheelchairs, but also need to address the needs of the deaf and the blind. Rusiha added that plans are underway to discuss with government the issue of establishing a centre for manufacturing equipment for the blind and deaf. He was however thankful for the friendly legal framework for people with disabilities citing that it only has one problem which is implementation. “The National Council for Persons with Disabilities is provided for in the revised constitution and has been enacted by the Parliamentary law with various ministerial decrees that have been enacted, “he said. The Director General of Education in MINEDUC, Erasme Rwanamiza, said children without severe disabilities should study with other children in normal schools. He however noted that the ministry was providing equipment for people with disabilities such as hearing aids, wheelchairs and also training teachers. Jean Harebimana 15, who is physically impaired, said his biggest challenge is isolation by fellow students who sometimes don’t want to interact with him. maria.kaitesi@newtimes.co.rw