Taking Care of Children with Special Needs beyond Honiara

Taking Care of Children with Special Needs beyond Honiara

Posted by : Frank Short Posted on : 17-Oct-2021
Taking Care of Children with Special Needs beyond Honiara

In May this year Georgina Kekea wrote in the Solomon Times Online about the important question featured in the headline to this piece.

In part of her article she referred to the MEHRD and I quote what she wrote.

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) have since 2016 been working on implementing the National Disability Inclusive Education Policy (SINDIEP).

The aim of this policy is to promote, expand and complement realization of education delivery services to all children, youths and adults with disabilities, as outlined in the Education Strategy Frameworks and National Education Action Plan of the MEHRD.

MEHRD over the years have conducted advocacy with selected schools and stakeholders to raise awareness of the purpose of this policy and at the same time to ensure the schools are supported to provide conducive learning environments that will develop a pathway that supports children with disabilities at the school level.

MEHRD believes that In order to effectively implement this policy, an Implementation Plan must be made. Thus an Implementation Plan along with an IE Policy Manual was formulated to guide and inform those with responsibilities in the implementation of the Solomon Islands National Disability Inclusive Education Policy from 2019-2020.

The was due for review this year (2021)

Comment

Could it please be explained to me (and readers) if the MEHRD has yet reviewed its important National Disability Inclusive Education Policy in regard to the Ministry’s declared aims of providing and supporting conducive learning environments for SI children with disabilities at school level, including in the provinces.

If not and there are financial impediments to helping children with disabilities in areas outside of Honiara, could assistance be possible from existing development partners or international agencies with a presence in the SI? I think especially of Save the Children, the UNDP and both the Australian and New Zealand governments.

Currently only three schools in the country are focusing on people with disabilities. They are SDC, San Isidro and Bethesda

Jiope Iputu is the school principal for the Special Development Center (SDC), a school for children with special needs operated by the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society.

Previously speaking to Solomon Times Online, Mr. Iputu said a majority of the students enrolled at SDC now are those with speech and hearing impairment.

“I believe there are a lot more of these children with special needs out there in the provinces and my wish is for this center to extend to the provinces to serve the children there.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

www.solomonislandsinfocus.com

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