Through my work with East Kenya’s assessment centres I have visited a number of schools for children with disabilities as well as special units attached to mainstream schools. Some are poorly resourced, understaffed and lack suitable adaptation for the children who learn there.
I have visited two schools that seem to really stand out as being exceptional and that will hopefully pave the way for how such schools should look and be managed.
The first school is close to home as my office is based in the grounds of Kerugoya’s School for the Hearing Impaired. I’ve visited many times and often pop in on the baby class when I have spare time, but I my first comprehensive tour a few weeks back.
The school was entirely re-built several years back with support from a European foundation and the site is thoughtfully laid out and beautifully planted. The teaching seems to be relatively innovative with lots of wall displays in each classroom, most also have a ‘shop’ and other interactive teaching aids.
Class Three
The staff recognised that students graduating (usually aged 13) didn’t always have viable options to move on to. So despite the schools expanded to include vocational classes for tailoring and woodwork where students can complete a two-year programme to prepare them for the world of work or even to set up their own business.
The Vocational Class
Additionally the school has a class for deaf-blind students. The three students in the class are all in their mid to late twenties but will continue to attend until they feel confident to return to their home communities. They have the support of a dedicated member of staff who teaches them hand to hand signing as well as woodwork, beading, weaving and agriculture.
The school continues to receive funding from the foundation that supported their re-build but has also developed a number of income generating activities that the children help to support. They keep a number of cows, have a poultry project for eggs, breed ornamental fish and also grow fruit and vegetables. The produce that is not consumed on site by the children is sold both directly from the school as well as at the market raising funds for maintenance of the school.
Getting Over Excited in the Dining Hall (sorry!)
The school really sets a great example of how things can be done successfully. They were lucky to have a generous donor to get them started but maybe the government will take notice and provide more support to other schools to reach the high standards set here.
