Minister for Education, Heritage, and Arts, Premila Kumar, was the chief guest at the World Down Syndrome Day observance at the Suva Special School yesterday (21/03/22).
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on 21 March each year to raise awareness for people living with this disorder. 21 March is a special date because it describes the genetic disorder on chromosome number 21.
People typically have 2 copies of chromosome 21, whereas people with Down Syndrome have 3 – the cause of this disorder.
The theme for World Down Syndrome Day is “We Decide”, and it focuses on the right of participation for those living with Down Syndrome.
Our Fijian Constitution upholds the fact that every child with special needs has the same fundamental rights and freedoms as their peers, including the right to education. This vision goes hand in hand with the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
Speaking at the event, Minister Kumar acknowledged that there is stigma around children born with special needs and encouraged Fijians to look past that.
“I request all Fijians to recognise that children with Down Syndrome can be born in any family regardless of social, economic, cultural, religious, or racial backgrounds, but these children deserve the same dignity, love, and respect.”
“As parents, teachers, friends, relatives, neighbours, and caregivers, we should support people with Down Syndrome so that they lead an independent life, free of any form of discrimination.”
She highlighted that all children are different when it comes to learning and some require special support to enable them to achieve their full potential.
Success stories of Pablo Pineda, the first person with Down Syndrome to successfully graduate from College in Europe and Angela Bachiller, the first woman living with Down Syndrome elected as Spain’s City Councillor in 2013, were shared by the Minister to inspire and motivate the students, and show them that people living with Down Syndrome can live an independent life and contribute to nation-building.
“Gone are the days when children with special needs were either ignored, misunderstood, or separated and kept in special schools, without giving an opportunity to study in a normal environment."
"Today, we are uplifting them to take ownership, lead a normal life, and contribute towards nation-building.”
Around Fiji, there are 17 special schools with 1,082 students and 46 Special & Inclusive Schools, which have allowed parents to give their children living with special needs an education.
The Ministry of Education, Heritage, and Arts also provides special grants to students living with disabilities in these schools, along with the Free Education Grant.