Deaf community seek inclusion in education

Calistus Kolantsho | Friday November 3, 2023 09:05

BOAD’s primary task caters for the interests of deaf people in Botswana by ensuring that they are able to communicate properly in the sign language. Speaking at the event, BOAD director, Shirley Keoagile said the signing of the MoU with the college holds immense significance in promoting inclusivity, universality, inter-relatedness, disability mainstreaming and advocating for the rights of the deaf community. Keoagile said the deaf should not be left behind when it comes to education adding that the community has long been sidelined. “People have been crying about learning sign language. We need people to learn it. We have lessons that we are offering at the BOAD office that can give people opportunities to work in different organisations as professionals. We are not saying there should be favours, no, I am talking about professionals,” she said.

Keoagile also said Byte Size College would provide deaf teachers to be employed and teach, which is something unique for the country. Meanwhile, Deputy director-Curriculum Development and Evaluation at the Ministry of Basic Education, Dr Shadreck Majwabe told Mmegi that the agreement between BOAD and Byte Size College is a step in the right direction. He said the arrangement is about expansion of deaf inclusion in the mainstream education. “We are the custodians of policy but we encourage different stakeholders such as the private sector to be part of education. Policy is there that recognises inclusivity and we want to see the deaf community being part of policy formulation. People with disabilities are allowed to work in the entire education system,” he said. Majwabe said representation of people with disabilities remains a challenge, adding that it is something that they are currently working on as a department. Guest speaker at the event, Helen Andreasson, the head of resident coordinator's office in Botswana said the agreement between BOAD and Byte Size College is breakthrough on issues of access to information and services by the deaf community.

“The sustainable development goal number 16 of the United Nations (UN) on peace, justice and strong institutions, speaks on creating empowered institutions to promote social justice,” she said. “One of the targets of this goal is on ensuring public access to information and protects fundamental freedoms in accordance to national legislation and international agreements. Access to information and services being able to communicate effectively is a basic human need, this need will be met for the Deaf community.” Andreasson said it is the mandate of the government to ensure that everyone is heard, regardless of the challenges that they face. “It is worth it to mention that most challenges are institutional, that is to say no one is born with disability. The disability is created by different institutions failing to accommodate individual differences. BOAD and Byte Size College are enrooted to eliminate some of the barriers that create disability,” she said. She stated that BOAD has always been vocal about their challenges with communication with service providers in Botswana. “They have cited incidences that could have been easily avoided if there were sign language interpreters in different offices. BOAD is taking action to end this inequality,” she said. For his part, Byte Size managing director, Godfrey Mwewa said the partnership with BOAD symbolises collaboration, commitment and shared goals. “Byte Size is a technical and vocational education training (TVET) institution. As TVET we can be an important tool for promoting social inclusion and reducing inequality. We will therefore, work hand in hand with BOAD to develop programmes that will equip members with knowledge and skills necessary to strive in this era,” he said. Mwewa said they want BOAD members to start creating jobs for the community and also holding managerial positions. Some of the courses that will be offered to the deaf students by deaf teachers include social work, information technology (IT), graphic design, beauty and make up.