Invest more in children with disabilities, Govt urged

MWANZA: STAKEHOLDERS have called on the government and development partners to invest more in inclusive education by improving school infrastructure, expanding disability-friendly services and ensuring children with disabilities enjoy their basic rights without discrimination.

The call was made yesterday by the Director of Mwanangu Development Tanzania (MWADETA), Mr Walter Miya, during a training session aimed at raising awareness among parents of children enrolled at Huruma Special Unit School in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region.

The training focused on children’s rights, nutrition and protection.

Mr Miya said that children with disabilities have the same rights as others to education and social inclusion.

He noted that enrolling such children in school is not only about academic learning but also helps them develop life skills, confidence, social interaction and independence.

“Education enables children with disabilities to realise their potential and reduces overdependence on society,” he said.

He added that participation in sports is equally important, as it contributes to physical health and mental well-being.

He therefore called for inclusive school environments that allow children with disabilities to fully participate in all activities, including sports.

Through the “Wezesha Mtoto” campaign under the Beyond Inclusive Project, implemented by MWADETA, parents were also advised to follow proper procedures when seeking support, including contacting ward education officers to identify suitable schools based on their children’s needs.

Sharing her experience, Ms Rose Fabian, a mother of two children with disabilities, said she faces challenges raising them alone after being abandoned by her partner.

She explained that a lack of reliable transport often makes it difficult to take her children to school, sometimes forcing her to leave them locked inside the house while she goes out to earn a living.

She urged parents of children with disabilities to avoid such practices and instead prioritise education to secure their children’s future and reduce dependency.

ALSO READ: 400+ children with disabilities in Misungwi benefit from ESRAC

Another parent, Mr Pascal Vedastus, called on parents especially men to take responsibility for raising children with disabilities and to abandon harmful misconceptions that lead some to neglect them.

“A supportive upbringing can help these children reach their full potential,” he said.

A teacher at Huruma Special Unit School, Mr Dotto William, said the school equips children, particularly girls, with self-protection skills.

However, he stressed that parents must also ensure their safety at home.

“Given the changing nature of today’s world, parents have a critical role in protecting their children,” he said.

MWADETA Project Manager, Dr Idda Mihindi, noted that limited awareness among parents about the rights of children with disabilities remains a major challenge.

She explained that while awareness efforts have reached many professionals, parents themselves are often left behind, creating a knowledge gap within communities.