Special education relevant for the achievement of education for all by

2015

Kumasi, Oct 4, GNA - Mr Joseph Kwabena Onyinah, Ashanti Regional Director of Education has said the provision of adequate training and relevant skills to children with disabilities were crucial for the socio-economic development of the country. Speaking at a day's workshop organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES), in Kumasi for 17 participants including directors of education, training officers and special education officers, selected from five districts in the country, he said the Special Education Unit of the GES plays a key role in ensuring the successful attainment of the goals of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MOES). Mr Onyinah stated that, exclusive special education was expensive in terms of boarding, logging and special needs of the disabled children. He therefore, advocated for the inclusive form of education for the disabled child, explaining that, moderate, mild forms of disabled children can stay with parents and attend normal schools with special resource persons to give them support and special needs. Mr Onyinah noted that, interaction with normal children by the disabled children was a therapy for their physical and mental well-being. The districts were New Juaben and Birim Central in the Eastern region, West Gonja and Bole in the Northern region and Ho in the Volta region. The Inclusive Education (IE) workshop which was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was under the Special Education Needs (SEND) of the disabled children on Education Quality for All (EQUALL). Mrs Victoria Donkor, Director of Education In-charge of Special Education Division of the GES expressed her gratitude to the USAID for its immense support and assistance under the EQUALL/SEND Project.