By Philemon Kiprop
Parents and guardians of learners with hearing impairment have been encouraged to learn sign language in a bid to facilitate learning of their children while out of school.
Speaking at Iten School for the Deaf during celebrations to mark the World Day for the Deaf, the Director Joseph Kiyeng said the move is aimed at facilitating continuous learning for deaf children which is occasioned by a disconnect between school and home.
Kiyeng says most of the learners with the impairment suffer inconsistency in grasping and learning content due to lack of continuity on using sign language when at home.
He also says that the institution is mulling a way of engaging parents of children with hearing impairment to be taught sign language so as to facilitate learning for their children.
“Most of our learners get short learning contact since parents did not have basic knowledge in sign language. We are planning to teach parents with deaf learners’ the basics on sign language. This will enable continuity of learning in school and at home,” he said.
At the same time Kiyeng has decried underfunding towards special schools in the country, a fact he says has derailed the full realization of skill-based education for learners in the category.
Calling upon the incoming Education Cabinet Secretary to look into the affairs of special learning institutions, he said provision of vocational training to learners is intensive hence there is need to increase capitation rate for its success.
