Mchengerwa direct officials to identify children with special needs

ARUSHA: MINISTER of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mohamed Mchengerwa, has directed Regional and District Commissioners to ensure that children with special needs are identified and have access to education.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary celebration of inclusive education in Patandi, Arusha Region, Mchengerwa said security committees can be consulted to track down parents who are hiding their children with special needs.

“Regional and municipal leaders should supervise the early identification and detection of these children and encourage their enrolment in schools recommended by experts.

The minister revealed that by 2020, there were 28,482 students with special needs in schools, but that number has risen to 78,429 in 2024.

“The government has designated 6,088 schools to accommodate these students, providing appropriate facilities, with approximately 309 schools offering boarding services,” he said.

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Mr Mchengerwa further said the government is actively implementing various international and regional agreements related to inclusive education, including Sustainable Development Goal number four of the 2030 Agenda, which emphasises the provision of education on an equal basis.

“The government, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has been preparing policies, guidelines and various strategies, including the National Strategy for Inclusive Education (2022-2026), aimed at promoting education and fostering an inclusive culture both within and outside schools,” Mchengerwa said.

He said that in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 fiscal years the government has allocated more than 8.3bn/- for the purchase and distribution of specialised equipment and assistive devices for students with special needs in educational institutions.

Director of the Special Education Department at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Magreth Matonya, said that the celebration aimed to highlight opportunities provided by the government for students with special needs, showcase achievements, raise awareness and assess inclusive education.