MBALE – Kambaho Narasi Anyijuka, Principle Communications Public Relations at the Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board (UBTEB), has urged vocational institutions to consider admitting children with disabilities. This call was made during a tour of government vocational schools in the Bugisu region.
“We want to see a situation where vocational institutions are inclusive, where children with disabilities are given an opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge that can help them to become productive citizens,” Kambaho said.
He emphasized that vocational courses are crucial for developing the country and fighting unemployment.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector has the potential to create over 500,000 jobs in Uganda. Currently, the sector employs around 150,000 people, with a growth rate of 10% per annum.
“Technical courses are key to job creation in Uganda. We have a huge youth population that is looking for employment opportunities. By acquiring technical skills, these young people can become entrepreneurs, creating jobs for themselves and others,” Kambaho said.
However, despite the importance of vocational education, many institutions are not considering children with disabilities. To address this, the government has converted part of Mbale School of the deaf into a vocational school, catering to children with disabilities and others.
Paulo Otaboi, deputy head teacher in charge of vocational section at Mbale School of the deaf, highlighted that despite the government’s efforts to procure equipment, enrollment remains low.
“Unfortunately, some parents view children with disabilities as curses, and vocational courses are often stigmatized as being for dense children.”
“We need to change the mindset of our communities. Children with disabilities have the same potential as any other child. By providing them with vocational training, we can empower them to become productive citizens,” Otaboi said.
The call to action is particularly relevant, given the theme of the International Day of People with Disabilities, “The Role of Innovations in Disability Inclusion.” By promoting inclusive education and vocational training, Uganda can take a crucial step towards empowering children with disabilities and fostering a more equitable society.
According to the UBOS, people with disabilities make up around 12.4% of Uganda’s population. However, they face significant barriers in accessing education and employment opportunities. By promoting inclusive vocational education, Uganda can help to address these disparities and create a more inclusive and equitable society.
