The Godwin and Patricia Okeke Foundation has unveiled digital classrooms and dormitories for no fewer than 8,000 persons living with disabilities in Anambra at the Special School for the Deaf, Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of the state.
The foundation’s Programmes Development Manager, Tobechi Onwubuche, during the unveiling on Sunday, said the gesture was aimed at ensuring that PLWDs, including those with visually and hearing impaired in the state, have access to basic education and experience an inclusive learning environment to empower them to reach their full potential.
Onwubuche added that the foundation built and donated the new dormitory and classroom blocks to the Diocese on the Niger of the Anglican Communion, sited at the Special School for the Deaf, Onitsha, specifically designed to address the unique needs of students with hearing impairment.
He added that the edifice will save the students the challenges of long distance walk to school and high cost of transportation, which forces them to attend school two or three times a week, thereby missing classes.
He said, “It is estimated that there are 8,000 persons with hearing impairment in Anambra State. Special School for the Deaf, Odoakpu is managed by both the Anglican Mission and Anambra State government.
“This edifice will save 40 to 50 per cent of the students the challenges of long distance trekking to school due to poverty, high cost of transportation, which forces them to attend school two or three times a week, thereby missing classes.
“Students with hearing impairment are vulnerable to be hit by cars due to limited ability to hear car horns. Lack of assistive technology devices to aid their learning and that of digital skills.
Similarly, he said the dormitory would reduce travel time and transportation cost to school, dedicating more energy to learning, minimise risks associated with daily long walk to school.
“They will have uninterrupted education, attend classes every day, fostering consistent learning and growth and enable them consistently benefit from STEM education, Creative skills offered by an NGO.
“With the dormitory, daily access to education for students with hearing impairment is assured which will unlock their potential and build a brighter future for the students.”
According to him, a section within the classroom block will be equipped with assistive technologies like E-readers, computers and tablets with speech recognition software, Text-to-Speech, Progress Monitoring Software etc.
“The world is increasingly relying on technology, hence access to digital skills is no longer a luxury. Digital divide is widening, leaving behind persons with disabilities. The lack of access to relevant technological skills hinders them from participating in the growing tech economy.
“Hence the following key activities have been lined up – advocacy to the relevant stakeholders; training and support for educators on effective teaching methods for PWDs, inclusive policy; STEM Education for the hearing- impaired; collaborate with accessibility experts and special educators to develop specialized curriculum; additional infrastructure; community awareness and school feeding programme.”
He noted that to achieve the above and more, the foundation is seeking collaborations with programme development partners; disability and special education advocacy groups; state and national deaf citizens associations, universities with programs and expertise in deaf education, computer technology supply companies, donor agencies, companies and private individuals.