Latest update January 31st, 2025 7:15 AM
Latest News
- Exxon deal cannot be reversed – Min. Teixeira tells National Assembly
- Norton slams govt. heavy reliance on oil fund for 2025 Budget amid declining oil prices
- 67 killed after jet hits helicopter in Washington
- Man killed after concrete slab collapsed on him
- 16-yr-old girl killed by 40-yr-old lover at Baramita
Inclusion in education sector will help to promote literacy/development– Blind awareness advocates
By Rehanna Ramsay
While continuous strides have been made by the administration to improve the quality of education being offered to the nation’s children, blind awareness advocates are of the view that an inclusive education system has the potential to take Guyana a step further in the process of modernization.
During a recent interview, Public Relations Officer for the Council of the Organization of People with Disability and Member of the Board of Governors of the Guyana Society for the Blind, Ganesh Singh, noted that removing barriers and obstacles of exclusion will, in addition to bringing Guyana‘s education sector on par with the systems of developed countries, improve the level of literacy of the population.
Public Relations Officer for the Council of the Organization of People with Disability and member of the Board of Governors of the Guyana Society for the Blind, Ganesh Singh
An inclusive education system is based on the rights of all learners to a quality education that meets basic learning needs and enriches lives.
According to Singh, based on data drawn from a consensus, which was conducted in 2002, more than 48,000 of Guyana’s population are persons with disabilities.
Singh said that approximately 1000 disabled persons are engaged in some type of learning in Guyana’s school system but it is a “far cry,” from what the figure would be if there was an integrated education system.
“With a significant number of people living with disabilities, we have to put systems in place, in which disabled persons can equally benefit… Inclusive education is a must since educating the population may be the only sure way of alleviating poverty.”
He noted that there have been efforts by the administration to promote an integrated education.
“There have been efforts by the Ministry of Education and Government. The Ministry is working on a new special needs policy which I hope will be implemented soon. I know that there have been notable strides by the administrators to assist in the process of integrating the mainstream education system but there is much more work that can be done in terms of infrastructure and training.”
“Teachers will need to undergo special training on how to deal with students with disabilities,” Singh added.
Retired teacher, member of the Guyana Association for the Visually Impaired, (GAVI), and pioneer for inclusive education Ingrid Peters, says that her life is a byproduct of an integrated education system.
“I received my schooling in Trinidad because I lost my vision when I was very young as a result of cataract but when I was of age to go to school, there were no schools in Guyana that catered for the blind.
As a result, my parents sent me to Trinidad, where I attended the Santa Cruz Special School for the Blind. The training and access to equal education in Trinidad assisted me to become the person I am today because it molded my character as we not only participated in aspects of academic studies but also in sports and other social events.”
After spending more than 35 years in the education system as a teacher, Ms Peters believes that children with disabilities can be equally educated if they are given the similar academic and learning opportunities as other students.
“I’ve spent over 35 years in the education system, molding the nation’s children, teaching from braille to music… I taught both the visually impaired students as well as the sighted ones and therefore I know if students with disabilities get certain opportunities they too can excel and help to assist in the development of their country,” Peters said.
Guyana Association for the Visually Impaired, (GAVI), and pioneer for inclusive education Ingrid Peters.
She is also a graduate of the Cyril Potter College of Education, (CPCE) and the University of Guyana.
“The education I obtained as a child, made the way for me to obtain my trained teachers ‘certificate from CPCE and my Diploma in Financing from the University.
“I can contribute to the development of my country. I know it won’t be easy, it will require much patience and commitment on the part of teachers but it is my opinion that an integrated education system can make a difference in the lives of all Guyanese.”
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Show us the numbers!
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The government through its superior management of the economy says that it has bestowed... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
