The Ministry of Education, under the stewardship of Cabinet Secretary(CS) Ezekiel Machogu, urged the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) task force to upgrade the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) into a semi-autonomous government agency.
State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education, Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Julius Jwan, disclosed during the 4th KISE Conference on Thursday, November 24, held in Kasarani, Nairobi.
Jwan, who represented CS Machogu, explained that KISE, which is one of the best-funded government facilities, would be equipped with expensive machines and devices after uplift.
"The government has already released money for purchasing specialized equipment for the institute in the government’s continued support of the facility." The PS revealed.
He detailed that schools had been instructed to construct structures accommodating disabled students.
"The ministry conducted assessments on what learners need and provided capitation whereby special needs receive more than those in regular schools," he expounded.
Jwan further detailed plans that would see the expansion of KISE and the opening of regional branches across the country, hence cascading special education closer to the grassroots.
Also at the event was Sylvia Mochabo, the Founder of ANDY SPEAKS 4 Special Needs Persons Africa and Board Director at the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, who stated that parents of children with autism were in support of CBC.
Mochabo highlighted that the curriculum had unveiled opportunities for the children, enabling them to explore and discover their talents.
In contrast, she highlighted that for children with disabilities to benefit from government policies, there should be a synergy between different ministries to ensure that learners experience growth.
KISE director, Dr. Norman Kiogora, encouraged parents with children living with disabilities to enrol them in special schools instead of hiding them at home.
The annual event themed 'Parental Empowerment and Engagement' drew parents and participants from Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Somalia and the United Kingdom.
