By Charles Ouma
Education stakeholders have urged the government through the Ministry of Education to increase capitation for learners with Special Needs, citing increased prices of commodities.
Patrick Wafula, the Principal of St. Martins Special School for the mentally challenged in Nambale sub county Busia County, suggested that the national government should increase the funding allocation to special school children from Ksh 11,000 to Ksh 20,000.
“Feeding special children has become tricky owing to the high prices of commodities in the market. I urge the government to increase the allocation per child to special schools. These children need to be looked after well in order to contain them at school,” Wafula said during the launch of the school’s dormitory worth Ksh 2.6 million.
Parents with children in Special Needs Schools pay a total of Ksh 10,860 annually as a subsidized fee from Ksh 21,920 while the government pays a subsidy of Ksh 53, 807 annually per student.
The total GOK subsidy of Kshs. 53, 807 per learner per year includes Kshs.19, 053 per learner for boarding equipment and stores and a top up grant of Ksh 12, 510 per learner to cater for assistive devices and any additional personnel needed.
The Executive Director of National Fund for Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) Prof. Julia Ojiambo appealed to the society and schools to embrace learners with mental illnesses to help them cope with life.
She urged parents who have children with mental problems not to abandon or hide them in their houses, but bring them out so that they can get assistance from the government, non-governmental organizations and well-wishers.
“It’s important that we take care of these children instead of abandoning them. The society should embrace them and provide them with the care and love they require. While in school, the teachers should also provide the necessary support to them.”
Prof. Ojiambo revealed that lack of proper care to the mentally challenged children and persons escalates the problem further.
“It is estimated that world-wide, up to 20 per cent of children suffer from debilitating mental illness. Therefore, there is need for us to learn how to cope with such children,” said Prof. Ojiambo.
Since 2009/2010, NFDK has been running the Big Grants Programme and, with a regular grant from the national government, sponsors one or two flagship projects per county.
“A total of 158 projects have been initiated countrywide, with 126 already commissioned while others are either completed and awaiting handover or in various stages of implementation. NFDK envisages that by the end of 2022/2023 financial year, every County in Kenya shall have at least four flagship projects to be proud of,” she added.
In Busia, Kisoko and Lwanya special schools have already benefited from the Big Grant projects.
