Senate Committee On Education Condemns Neglect Of Special Needs Schools
The Senate Committee on Education has condemned the alleged neglect of special needs schools in Kenya.
The Committee while meeting with senior officers from the Ministry of Education noted that the ministry has failed to review capitation fees for special needs schools since 2018, which they say, has resulted in a decrease in the amount of money available to these schools.
The committee chaired by Senator Joseph Nyutu met senior officers from the Ministry of Education on Friday to discuss the challenges facing these schools.
They further rejected a proposal by the Ministry to charge parents whose minors have special needs. The committee said that parents should not be made to pay for the education of their children with disabilities.
Addressing the press on the sidelines of the meeting in Lake Naivasha Resort, Senator Nyùtù noted that the ratio of caregivers to students was also wanting.
Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko observed that a 2018 proposal by the Ministry to have the capitation funds reviewed was never submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
“The equipment needed by minors in these schools is expensive and we are saddened there is a perennial delay in releasing the cash,” she said.
Deputy director of special needs education Abdi Moulia Abdi admitted capitation funds to the schools had been delayed but said this had since been sorted. He did not comment on the stagnation of funds.
“We prepared a proposal in 2018 seeking to review the capitation fees for special schools but unfortunately this has not been implemented,” he said.
The committee has called on the ministry to take urgent steps to address the challenges facing special needs schools.
These steps include reviewing the capitation fees, providing more training for teachers and staff, and ensuring that all children with disabilities have access to quality education.
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