Seif wants to help children with disability to attend school

Mitwero primary school has 722 pupils and a staff of 12. The school are set in 10 buildings used as classrooms, but two of them are under construction, and the construction have stopped due to lack of finance. 

The challenges at my school

There are many pupils in one classroom (overcrowded), which makes learning difficulty. I also find a lack of equality and fairness towards children with disability. In addition, few parents send their children with disability to school. 

Some of the challenges above I think is because of lack of knowledge and wrong attitude towards children with disability. Society, staff and parents also lack awareness of UN Children’s rights and Rights for people with disability. Poverty also prevent them to supply their children with disability equipment like school uniform, pens, exercise books and school bag. 

I would like to hold seminars to staff at school and neighbouring schools on how to handle the children with disability. This is because even staff lack the knowledge about how to handle them. For example, after going back home, I will be the first Teacher in my school and in Lindi Municipality for those with hearing problems.

Equality and fairness must be strengthened

There is a lack of equality and fairness toward children with disability in school, for example, pupils with disability study in their own classroom and the rooms, which are used, are not conducive for them. 

To gain more equality towards children with disability, I will introduce inclusive setting at school. This will help children with disability to learn, to socialize and to use the resources to socialize with other children. This will help the child to feel comfortable and not isolated. I will also teach parents and local community about the rights of children with disabilities. This will hopefully make parents, local community and school want to fulfill the needs of those children. I plan to do this teaching in school meetings, village meetings, posters and talking to the mass media (e.g radio). In addition I will educate my fellow staff on preparing individualize education program. This will help those children with disability to get help according to their needs.

My aim when I return to my school is to strive towards that all children with disability in my municipality, is getting the rights they deserve according to the UN, including attending school and completing an education. In order to do so, the pupils with disabilities must experience equality and non-discrimination when they attend school.