Mudavadi calls for more investment in special needs schools

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for greater investment in schools for learners with special needs, saying every child should have equal access to quality education regardless of their abilities or circumstances.

Mudavadi said improving educational opportunities for learners with disabilities must go beyond classroom instruction to include safe accommodation, adequate learning materials and facilities that support their welfare and development.

He spoke at Friends Kaimosi Comprehensive Special School in Vihiga County, where he laid the foundation stone for a proposed girls' dormitory estimated to cost Sh9 million. The planned facility is expected to accommodate 166 Special Needs Education (SNE) learners, providing them with safer and more suitable accommodation as the government seeks to strengthen inclusive education.

"Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve their dreams, regardless of their abilities or circumstances," Mudavadi said, adding that supporting learners with special needs was essential in building an inclusive society in which no child is denied the chance to reach their full potential.

He said the dormitory project was not simply an infrastructure investment but also an effort to uphold the dignity, safety and equality of learners who require specialised support, and commended the school administration, engineers, community leaders and other stakeholders involved in improving the learning environment. During the visit, Mudavadi donated Sh150,000 towards food supplies and a further Sh50,000 for the purchase of a television to support the institution.

Public Service Principal Secretary Prof Jane Imbunya said the project highlighted the need for government commitments on inclusive education to translate into practical improvements in schools. She said appropriate accommodation was important in ensuring learners could rest comfortably after lessons and concentrate on their education in a safe environment, adding that improving conditions for learners with special needs required sustained investment in essential facilities, learning resources, food and other necessities. She said the success of such initiatives would depend on consistent follow-up to ensure projects delivered the intended benefits to learners.

At Kaimosi, learner Denno praised the support extended to the institution, saying assistance with mattresses, food and learning facilities had improved their living conditions.

The planned dormitory is expected to contribute to efforts to create a more supportive learning environment for girls at the school. However, ensuring equal educational opportunities will require continued collaboration between the government, school administrators, communities and other partners to address the wider needs of learners with disabilities.