Solwezi Basic School, unit for the deaf

11 May 2004

Country:

Zambia

Organisations involved:

Synopsis:

Solwezi Basic School unit for the deaf has been in existence since 1995. In all ways possible the authority has tried and is still trying to see to it that the deaf children from witihn Solwezi district and beyond have access to education so that they too can contribute positively to the National development.

The unit opened with only five pupils. From the time the unit was officially opened, the number of pupils has never remained the same. Currently the total population of pupils stands at thirty-seven (37).

The unit has five male teachers and four female teachers. The oldest serving teacher is Mr Kasangula Webby. He has been in the unit since 1995. Mr Jipila Derby joined him on transfer from Katandano following the completion of his studies at Zambia institute of special education (ZAMISE). Other teachers at the unit have since joined following completion of training at ZAMISE.

Enrollment of pupils is done every year. The school management and some specialist teachers go out into the community on child find activity. They sometimes cover distances of about fifteen kilometers to interview parents. However there are no grants for this child find activity and therefore transport is a major problem.

Pupils are screened immediately after they have been identified for the unit, but the equipment which we use does not seem to be appropriate because we don't have any audiometers. Hence, the use of crude methods such as tuning forks, spoons, drums and so on.

Some time back when the numbers of pupils were small, the School management provided an office which served as a dormitory of a few boys only. But later, when the community saw that the number was increasing rapidly, a Franciscan Father by the name of Pius, built a dormitory for boys and girls as well as a kitchen, television room and ablution block.

Issues encountered:

There are a number of problems the unit is facing at the moment. In any case, the deaf pupils like all other pupils in other schools, need quality education. They need to be empowered with literacy, numeracy, and life skills so that they too can participate fully in the society. But this may not be possible if some conditions are not made equal. Listed below are the critical problems the unit is facing:

The kitchen built has no electrical pots. Therefore the major problem is kitchen facilities

Computers. The school has no computers even when it is well known that these children learn better when these facilities are in place because their learning is dependent on what they see

Transport: This is a major problem because when recruiting pupils, the school sometimes fails to hire transport because of the distances covered during child find activity

The unit, dispite running from grade one to nine has a problem of adequate classrooms

Acoustic room: The unit has no sound proof classrooms. Hence, pupils are ever distracted by passersby

Audiometers: The unit has no assessment tools like audiometers for screening

Library facilities: The unit has no adequate materials for the deaf pupils

Science equipment and apparatus as well as chemicals are lacking

Recommendations:

The school is happy to have shared the problems it is facing as well as its achievements. However the school appeals to other organisations for partnership. It is also keen to be twinned with another school. If you are interested in finding out more get in touch with the Solwezi Basic School through Our Network.

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