Consult special educationists on implementation of Free Tertiary Education for PWDs – GFD Secretary

The Upper West Regional Secretary of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD), Mr. Seidu Kamwininaani Ibrahim has advised political parties to consult special educationists on implementation of Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

He said PWDs were faced with several unique challenges when it comes to their education and that any policy to support them should be done in consultation with the GFD and special educationists.

Mr. Ibrahim gave the admonition in an interview with Info Radio where he commented on the policy proposals by political parties on the education sector, particularly the one by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to implement Free Tertiary Education for PWDs.

He said the policy proposal is a step in the right direction to offer PWDs a chance to seamlessly climb up the formal education ladder, bridging education disparity and promoting disability rights.

“So the feasibility nature is high, just that they need to seek advice from special educationists on how they can implement it,” he said.

Mr. Ibrahim, however, expressed fears that people might get the opportunity to go through school for free but still come out with no hopes of ever getting employed, which he said is an important aspect to also consider.

“The feasibility of it is that the positive aspect is okay. You will go to school for free, maybe for 4 years, but when you come out, will you get the employment?” he queried.

He also expressed concerns that some beneficiaries of the policy, if it eventually comes to fruition, might take the opportunity for granted since it comes at no cost to commit them to it.

“And when you also look at it in another way, you will see that the negative aspect to is there because it will be free. People feel reluctant to learn because you didn't pay anything like how we went to the free senior and some others are misbehaving,” he observed.

To forestall such concerns of non-commitment, Mr. Ibrahim proposed maintenance of strict entry requirements so as not to compromise the education system and lower educational standards.

“The entry process, the entry requirements for all tertiary institutions should still be maintained and should be strictly adhered to. Even if you are a person with disability and you failed any of the courses, they shouldn't allow you in because it is free,” he admonished.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ibrahim lamented over the human resource constraints in the special education sector where there are fewer special education professionals in the tertiary institutions to handle PWDs.

“Let me use my school for example: NJA College of Education. We all have only one special education, special trained teacher who is managing the whole visually impaired centre. When it comes to exams, the way this man struggle, as he would have to read for all levels,” he cited.

He advised that more special educationists are recruited before the rolling out of the initiative whenever it is ripe for implementation.

“So they should think of that recruit more of those people first before even considering of making tertiary education free for persons with disabilities,” he said.