Caritas Uganda has urged the Ugandan government to construct a dedicated dormitory block for children with special needs at St. Maria Theresa Primary School in Rushoroza Kabale Diocese.
During a recent visit, Fr. Vincent Byaruhanga, the Director of Caritas Kabale, emphasized the government’s responsibility to provide adequate support for children with disabilities, encompassing specialized teachers, classrooms, and necessary resources.
Fr. Byaruhanga stated that although Caritas Kabale previously invested 150 million shillings to build a classroom block at the school with aid from Spain, this was still insufficient given the increasing enrollment of children with special needs.
He expressed concern that special-needs children often struggle to attend school due to long distances from their homes, particularly in challenging weather conditions that make travel difficult.
During the visit, which coincided with the 15th National Caritas Week Celebration, donations were made to support the students, including food items like sugar, rice, posho, and educational materials such as books and pens.
Fr. Byaruhanga highlighted the need for a dormitory, explaining that many children currently sleep in classrooms, which is not ideal for their well-being.
Head Teacher Saturday Crescent echoed the call for government intervention, noting that children at the school come from various districts including Rukungiri, Kabale, Rukiga, and Kisoro.
He emphasized the need for transportation support to facilitate outreach to special needs children in their homes and requested an increase in the school’s per-term funding from 1.7 million shillings to a more substantial amount to adequately cater to the students’ needs.
According to Crescent, the school faces challenges in meeting the basic needs of its students, many of whom come from underprivileged families amidst the current funding that is inadequate for essentials such as food, clothing, and educational materials.
Placing emphasis on the urgency of the situation, both Fr. Byaruhanga and Head Teacher Crescent reiterated that government support is crucial for ensuring that children with special needs receive the attention and resources they require for a conducive learning environment.
The appeal highlights the critical need for enhanced support and resources for special needs education in Uganda, ensuring that every child has access to quality education and adequate facilities.
Both Caritas Uganda and school officials remain hopeful for a response from the government to address these pressing needs.
By Ben Musanje
12th April 2025
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