By Flavia Ajok
Parents of children with disabilities in Masindi district have expressed concern over the increasing discrimination of their children saying that this has forced them to drop out of school.
Frank Bagonga, a parent of a child with disability says his child wanted to study but was discouraged by the poor handling while at school adding that he has tried different schools but there is no special attention for the children with disabilities.
Bagonza suggests that government should establish more special needs school per sub county for learners with disabilities to help decongest Masindi center for the handicapped which is located in Bikonzi sub county in Masindi district.
Doreen Asiimwe, another parent of a child with disability says many fathers of children with disability abandon their responsibilities leaving their wives to struggle with all needs to keep these children in school.
Salley Abitegeka, the head teacher Kahara primary school in Miirya sub county, Masindi district says children with disabilities are not catered for in schools because there are no or there are few teachers in schools with special needs skills.
Abitegeka has asked government to make sure there is a teacher with special needs skills in every school if they are to promote inclusiveness.
She also states that there is a high dropout rate of children with disabilities caused by different reasons like walking long distances to school, lack of assistive devices, negative attitude by the community, teachers, parents towards these children among others.
According to Oliver Asiimwe the education officer in charge of special needs education, Masindi district local government, there are 2752 pupils with disability in government primary schools but the major challenge they are facing inadequate teachers trained in special needs.
Masindi district and Masindi municipality have 64 teachers with special needs skills.
