Special needs students graduate to Tirelo Sechaba

3476,Tsaone Basimanebotlhe,php5334.tmp.jpg, | Sunday May 15, 2016 00:00

The students, who are living with different kinds of disabilities, will be engaged in the programme as an effort to help them understand the working environment.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Ithuteng school head, Ditsile Keakopa confirmed that the school had enrolled 75 students from the special unit department.  In addition of their numbers they made up a total of 966 students in the entire school.

“We have different kinds of people who are living with disabilities.  Some of them graduate at secondary schools depending on how much they could grasp when taught, while some graduate from our school.  These children of ours have matured as they are youth,” Keakopa said.

Following the attachment, the students are expected to look for jobs.  However, of the 12 students, only four using wheel chairs will not be engaged in the programme as there are challenges for them to move around, which would be prove difficult for them.

Head of Department for Special Education, Mogakolodi Kelaotswe also assured parents who attended the graduation ceremony that their children would be attached nearby their homes for easy access.

“It is important for those who will be accepting proposals for these children to be attached to their offices to know that these people might call them teachers and they do forget easily.  Instead of shouting, teach them or call our school so that we could intervene,” Kelaotswe said.

Keolatswe urged attendants to stop naming the graduands by their disabilities, further stigmatising them.

Guest speaker at the graduation ceremony, University of Botswana lecturer, Aaron Majuta promised the school management that he would join hands with them to assist the special needs children.

“I encourage these children to be strong at all times because not everyone will accept them.  Whenever you face challenges go to the social worker or ask for advice from your former teachers. People living disabilities are sometimes hit by depression because of how some people treat them. My advice to you is to look as good as you were when coming to school.  Bath, clean your environment,” Majuta said.