Blind pupils complain of lack of study materials in schools

Visually impaired students of southern province have appealed to government to distribute braille studying materials in rural areas, reports Zambian Eye’s Anthony Lupiya.

The pupils feel they have been left out in the distribution of learning and teaching materials in schools when the ministry of education was revising the learning curriculum in Zambia.

Several blind pupils spoken to from various schools in Monze district said they feel segregated by the Ministry of Education, explaining that no braille materials have been distributed in the area.

“We have been facing a lot of challenges as disabled people in schools,” a pupil identified only as Jeff, tells this reporter. “However, regardless of the many challenges, we still have the zeal to learn and contribute to the economy of this  country. What’s constraining us at the moment is the lack of study materials for us the visually impaired.”

The pupils said the blind in rural areas are facing discrimination by some teachers, adding that it is hard for them to compete with those that are not disabled, as available study materials are all meant for those that have sight.

“We commend the government for introducing inclusiveness in education, but the Ministry of Education has not done much for blind students, especially in southern province. I have the ability to compete with someone who has sight provided am given materials that are in braille,” a Rusangu Secondary School pupil said.

The pupils are urging government to come up with a policy that will boost morale in blind pupils as they have rights like everyone else.

“What the government should not forget is we are as productive as any other person, the fact that we are differently abled doesn’t exclude us from contributing  to the development of this country” a Monze Boarding pupil said.

A blind female pupil who declined to be named said: “Government should look into it…that technology trickles down to the world of the blind, even in rural areas.”

And the students have appealed to government to introduce courses that will help teachers learn how to handle the visually impaired, when teaching in an inclusive class.

The pupils feel some teachers in schools resort to verbally abusing blind pupils because they lack the knowledge and adequate training for handling the blind.