Ten basic schools with children with special needs in Accra have received teaching materials worth GHø20,000 from Chance for Childhood (CfC), an International Non-Governmental Organisation to aid in their teaching.

The items were sandpaper letters and numbers, an animal puzzle, colour tower, and toddler puzzle (shapes and colours and building blocks ).

It was to mark this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, to raise awareness about disability, and draw attention to critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

The beneficiaries were Kanda Accra Metropolitan Basic School, Alwaleed Islamic Training Basic School, Ayawaso North Municipal Model School, John Westley Basic School, and Ayalolo ‘3’ Basic School.

The rest were Kaneshie Kingsway Basic School, Rasad Islamic Basic School, A.N.T ‘3’ Basic School, Abavana Down Basic School and Alajo 1 Basic School.

Making the presentation in Accra yesterday, the Global Inclusive Safe Garden Lead of CfC, Mr Richard Opoku stressed the need for inclusive education for all in the country.

He called on the Ministry of Education to increase budget allocation to inclusive education, adding that it would ensure that children with disabilities and other special needs receive key learning interventions that would help them learn to achieve their potential.

“The Ministry should facilitate the sensitization of parents and caregivers on disability and inclusive education, this would ensure that parents and caregivers get useful information to support children with disabilities and effectively work with school, ”he added.

He called on the management of the schools to maintain the teaching materials and use them for its intended purposes.

Mr Opoku stated that such donations would be replicated in other regions.

The Unit Head, Education for Learners with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Special Education Division at the Ghana Education, Ms Belinda Bukari on behalf of the beneficiaries commended Cfc for the kind gesture.

Ms Bukari urged parents to play the advocacy role by not hiding their children with special needs but give them the needed support to contribute their quota in the communities.

She advised teachers to use best practices in caring for children with disabilities in the country.

BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI