Earlier this month, I wrote a letter about the needs of children with special needs and their needs and education outside Honiara.
The letter seems to have been widely read and prompted much personal, private correspondence from concerned citizens in the Solomon Islands.
In the main the views raised concerned what is perceived delay in getting a response from the MEHR regarding a definitive implementation plan to tackle the subject matter I raised, but also concerns over the need for a teaching manual for guidance of those teachers who might be called upon to assist in a specialized manner the teaching of youngsters with both physical and intellectual disabilities.
One correspondent told me he believed UNICEF had promised to work on, and deliver, such a teaching manual but nothing has been heard since the idea was raised.
What was made clear to me by my correspondents was that it was envisaged by the MEHR that a likely ‘disability inclusive ‘plan was about practices in mainstream schools, and not in separate schools, as I had first envisaged.
If that should indeed be the case, then it would be vital for teachers to have training and full support.
My correspondents are keen to see progress by the MEHR in bringing forth the new National Disability Inclusive Plan going forward, and I share their collective views.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
