Africa-Press – Kenya. Nominated Senator Crystal Asige has called for a probe into the safety of learners with special needs in education institutions.
She wants safety measures put in place to ensure safety from hazards such as fires, terrorist attacks and natural calamities.
While seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Education, the lawmaker asked the government to state whether staff working in special needs education institutions have undergone emergency response training.
“Could you explain whether parents and caregivers of children with disabilities are taken through any form of training on the handling of such children in the event of emergencies,” she said.
Asige said that even personnel of emergency response agencies should be well-trained on how to handle PWDs, especially in emergencies.
She also asked for the description of the training provided for children with disabilities, which they were taken through, to help them respond to emergencies.
The senator urged the sitting committee to relook at the standardisation of our building and consider whether windows and doors are well designed to ensure that PWDs can have access in emergencies.
Asige reflected on a law that was passed stating that any building, school or institution should be sensitive to people with disabilities which was reversed and she sought the committee to review that law.
She said the government should include the safety of people with disabilities within the design of education, pedagogy, teaching, training and provision of infrastructure in schools and public spaces.
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