Africa-Press – Eswatini. European Union (EU) Ambassador to Eswatini Dessislava Choumelova and her delegation dedicated the whole of yesterday to doing humanitarian activities at St Joseph’s Mission.
The ambassador and her delegation further made a donation of about E160 000 (Euro 10 000) towards essential refurbishments of the Ekululameni Training Centre.
She said the donation was made so that students can recommence with their training.
Choumelova said she hoped to come back in a couple of months and see the results and happy learners.
She further shared with the pupils that in her past engagement with the minister of education and training Lady Howard-Mabuza, she learned that teaching technical and specialised skills (vocational training) was of high priority for the government of Eswatini.
She said EU decided to make education a priority for their future collaboration with the country.
She said she was pleased to see the students from Ekululameni Vocational Training Centre.
“As students with special needs, it is important that no one is left behind, and each and everyone’s special talents are nurtured to reach their full potential,” said the EU ambassador.
The EU ambassador was joined by the Minister Lady Howard Mabuza as they launched the European Year of the Youth.
The EU ambassador turned the school blue with the colours of the European Union. She brought freebies for the school, as well as blue jackets that are also the colour of their uniform.
The ambassador disclosed that in the EU, 2022 is the European Year of Youth.
She said the year of the youth meant the youth was the future.
She said in Europe, they dedicated this year to the vision, engagement and participation of all young people in order to build a better future that was greener, sustainable, more inclusive and digital.
“We wish to see the same in our partner countries such as Eswatini,” said the ambassador.
She further shared that it was for this reason that they had chosen to spend the day with the youth of St Joseph’s Mission, not only to encourage them, but also to engage and have fun with them.
She said she hoped history teachers had taught the pupils about the EU and what it was.
She shared that they were a union of 27 countries in Europe.
Minister Howard-Mabuza said launching the European year of the youth in this type of school was encouraging to the ministry as it is strategic in reaching out to learners with fewer opportunities.
She said the ministry constantly concerned itself with learners at St Joseph’s because this school by its nature required unique support.
She said as such, the ministry supported the school with learning material through the Free Primary Education (FPE) and Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) grant for primary and secondary schools respectively.
She further disclosed that the ministry provided specially trained personnel and specialised instructional materials, which the school required.
Howard said this was done in order to cater for learners with special needs including those from disadvantaged backgrounds of belonging to vulnerable groups.
She further disclosed the latest innovative provision by the ministry as the provision of digitalised instructional books mediated through special tablets for learners with visual impairment in order for the learners to access the school curriculum with ease.
She shared that it was in the ministry’s plans to provide online teaching for learners so that they became more in charge over their learning.
Minister Howard-Mabuza said her ministry had developed Braille as a subject.
She shared that there was also a Daily Living Skills and Orientation and Mobility programme due to be piloted beginning of May this year.
She said her ministry transcribed examinations for learners with visual impairment in this school so that they were able to write the examinations in a language they understood most.
The minister informed the EU ambassador that Eswatini was trying to recover from the devastating effects of the global pandemic COVID-19, her ministry had prioritised the development of skills among its youth as a means to empower them build a better future for themselves and that of the country.
Howard-Mabuza said she sincerely appreciated the commitment of the EU on the numerous activities in the education sector even during times of economic hardships resulting mainly from COVID 19. “We hope that this work relationship and support from the EU will continue and extended towards empowering our youth even more” said Howard.
She confessed that her ministry has great plans for its schools especially putting in place e-Learning infrastructure in schools to ensure that the sustainability of education is realised fully in the future.
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