Inclusive education trainees drums for more special needs teachers 

DAR ES SALAAM: A CALL has been made for government to produce enough well-trained special needs teachers capable to teach students with intellectual disabilities across the country.

This was remarked recently by some of special needs teachers from Ubungo District in Dar es Salaam who attended inclusive education training organised by Special Olympics Tanzania (SOT).

The training held at Jakaya Kikwete Youth Park falls under Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools project which emphasizes on social inclusion and inclusive sports for students with intellectual disabilities.

The program is supported by United Arab Emirates president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and bankrolled through initiatives like the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity (MBZFH).

“It is not a hidden fact that we have few special needs teachers in the country as such, I take this opportunity to urge government to ensure that the number of such teachers is increased so that they can easily engage with the growing number of intellectual disabled learners.

“For us, we are lucky to partake in this training which has equipped us with modern ways on how to deal with intellectual disabled students and athletes but, there are many special needs teachers out there who also needs this kind of training,” said Yusuph Mbalu.

He then commended SOT for coming up with the program while insisting that they have to take it to different parts of the country as a deliberate move to ensure wide coverage.

On her part, Mugabe Secondary School teacher Regina Meshack disclosed that it was her first time to attend the training as such, she will use well the grasped skills to teach intellectual disabled learners at her school.

“Usually, children with intellectual disabilities are not well engaged in the communities hence, with this training, we will be able to promote awareness on how members of the community can integrate them in social and economic endeavours,” she said.

However, the training benefited 18 special needs teachers from Ubungo District who walked away with fundamentals on how to properly care for intellectual disabled students.