The University of Kisubi, in partnership with Carlow University, US, has set-up a special programme to train teachers of children with special needs.
The decision was communicated by the dean of the Faculty of Education, Sister Dr Elizabeth Nakayiza on Friday during a tour she and fellow university lecturers made to various schools in Entebbe and other places in Wakiso district.
Two American visiting lecturers; Susan O’Rourke and Kevin Spencer, who are specialists in teaching children with special needs in the US were also part of the tour.
A special needs child chats with Kevin Spencer during their tour to Entebbe Children’s Welfare Primary School photo BY: Juliet Lukwago
According to Nakayiza, education is the backbone of a successful society and every human being should have the right, privilege, and opportunity to get the best education possible.
However, as she explained, it is often not a reality for many disadvantaged children.
“Education for special needs children falls by the wayside by leaving them aside, but changing the social infrastructure is an enormous endeavor requiring manpower and agreement among valuable children,” Nakayiza said.
The programme was kick-started with a two-day workshop held at the university premises and it will officially start by the beginning of this academic year in mid-August.
Susan O’Rourke interacts with a special needs child: photo by Juliet Lukwago
Students will be paying tuition like others students on current programmes, under a memorandum of understanding between the University of Kisubi and Carlow.
“Many teachers were sent to teach in vulnerable schools with no training at all and they end up teaching these children like normal pupils, which not good, with such degree and diploma courses will continue helping such schools,”said Brother Emmanuel Lugemwa, one of the lecturers who attended the tour.
Rourke said their goal is to give impoverished children excellent education and their mission is to support leaders and educators in the field.
The University of Kisubi(Unik) was founded by the Brothers of Christian Instruction in 2004, became a constituent college of the university in 2009 and in 2015 received provisional accreditation to become a separate, independent University.