Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Hon. Rosy Akbar joined the Western Deaf Community at the Nadi Centre for Special Education to commemorate the International Week of the Deaf last week.
The International Week of the Deaf is celebrated globally each year to raise awareness of the Deaf Community and to promote the status of sign language.
Speaking on the theme for 2020 of “Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights”, Minister Akbar highlighted that the Government’s commitment through the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in 2018, the establishment of a National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the National Inclusive Employment Policy for a 300 percent tax rebate for employers who employ persons with disabilities.
Minister Akbar shared that an average 17 percent of the 1,237 students enrolled at one of the 17 special schools across the country have a hearing disability.
The Ministry of Education currently employs 13 sign language interpreters in special schools across the country.
With a $1 million Government grant to special schools for building works, transport assistance, recreational equipment and welfare specialized support, Minister Akbar reassured the deaf community of the Government’s support and partnership for greater societal inclusivity.
She said the Ministry continues to provide professional development to special education teachers as well as untrained teachers and that the Ministry’s integration program in schools and tertiary institutions ensures mainstreaming of special and inclusive students.
The members of the deaf community expressed their appreciation to the Minister for Education for the whole of Government approach and commitment to progressing together, and agreed to explore and collaborate on the potential for sign language courses in teacher training programmes.