Blind accuse ministry of backtracking

Blind accuse ministry of backtracking

By Cherry Thein   |   Monday, 01 July 2013

Teachers and former students from Kyeemyindaing School for the Blind are urging the government not to backtrack on its inclusive education policy.

Children study at Kyeemyindaing School for the Blind. Photo: Hein Latt Aung

Starting this academic year, the school, which is operated by the Ministry of Social Welfare, has been told to reintroduce "special school education".

But teacher U Zaw Htwe Oo told The Myanmar Times the decision meant that blind students will no longer have the chance to join other children in mainstream education. Previously, blind students were able to join mainstream students from grade six, he said.

"I'm sorry about this backward step. 'Special education' discourages and excludes blind students from society. I don't want my students to suffer," he said.

The decision was made by a director general within the Ministry of Social Welfare and has also been vigorously opposed by some officials within the ministry. The ministry could not be contacted for comment last week.

The State of the World's Children, a UNICEF report released in Myanmar on June 14, found that children with disabilities confront additional challenges as a result of their impairments and the many barriers that society throws their way. Rather than segregating children with disabilities in special schools, inclusive education entails educating all students within the regular school system, the report said.

U Zaw Htwe Oo said the inclusive education system adopted by Myanmar in 2005 had allowed children with disabilities to join normal school activities and was particularly beneficial for blind students. The system encouraged them to participate in society and helped to build their self-confidence and independence, he said.

"Disabled people should not be excluded because of their disability. Although they are given special education to help cope with their impairment, it is effectively exclusion," he said.

One student said he had expected to be able to join mainstream education in grade six.

"If I'd known we would not be able to join, I would not have sat the grade five exam," he said. "I want friends in a normal school."

The parent of a child who attended a mainstream state school, Daw Hla Hla Win, said she wished all blind students were as enthusiastic about their studies as sighted children. Excluding them made them more depressed about their visual impairment, she said.

"When my son joined a normal school, I was worried at first. But now he's just like other boys, except for his blindness. I'm proud of him and now I dare to dream he can attend higher education too," she said.

A petition against the resumption of "special education" has so far received no response from the ministry.

"Special school is the first step toward exclusion. Joining a mainstream school with normal children is challenging for the blind, but they soon get used to it. Teachers and friends helped us study," said former student Ko Aung Lwin Oo.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/03/blind-accuse-ministry-of-backtracking/