Special needs caregivers to take refresher courses
Caregivers of children with disabilities will soon be required to undergo mandatory refresher courses to better support these minors. The courses will cover a range of topics, including nutrition guidance, positive parenting, holistic health services, and methods for caring for learners with special needs.
Additionally, caregivers will receive training in providing physical support for the safety of the children, as well as guidance on their emotional and social development.
This initiative was introduced during the African Summit on Inclusive Early Childhood Care and Education, organized by the African Disability Collaboration at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (Kise) in Nairobi. Ruth Owuor, the Chief County Officer of Education, Social Services, and Gender for Nairobi City County, announced that a Memorandum of Understanding would be established with Kise to support education assessment centers.
They plan to set up a Disability Parental Empowerment Centre to train parents and caregivers in advocating for and caring for special needs children.
The goal of this effort is to create a supportive and nurturing environment for children with disabilities. To achieve this, partnerships with Kise are being formed to establish more centers for children with disabilities, including those focused on providing devices and advocacy services, along with opportunities for sports.
Special needs caregivers to take refresher courses
Norman Kiogora, the Director of Kise, highlighted the significance of the Competency-Based Curriculum in identifying and assisting learners who are gifted and talented in ways beyond academics. He emphasized the importance of working together to identify such opportunities and help these learners realize their full potential.
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Dr. Kiogora emphasized that caregivers have a moral responsibility to remove barriers to participation for children with learning disabilities and attention disorders. These children are not unintelligent, lazy, or slow; they simply learn differently.
Maria Omari, the Executive Director of Action Foundation, stressed that no child should be left behind when it comes to accessing early learning and public services. She also mentioned the importance of infrastructure improvements, such as accessible toilets, classrooms, and elevators.
