President Ernest Bai Koroma has disclosed at the State Opening of Parliament that all disabled persons shall be entitled to a scholarship on entering University and Tertiary Institutions.
The President further disclosed that a policy has been introduced through which all of them automatically qualify for grants-in-aid.
Receiving the news, members of the disabled groups have lauded the President for the policy stating that most of them drop out of school because of funding. They however said that the policy should go with the facilities that will enhance the disabled pursue higher education.
The disabled further stated that those of their colleagues who have entered higher education institutions lack the tools like brail machines for the blind, sign language teachers for the deaf and dumb and the handicapped – no enhancement to move quickly for classes.
They mentioned that the blind and deaf and dumb pupils could hardly make it to the University stating that there are no provisions at the Higher Institutions for them and they mentioned the first blind student who entered Fourah Bay College to read law but discontinued because of lack of facilities.
At FBC, the disabled face more discomfort as classes taken mostly at the Kennedy building which is an eight storey building makes it very difficult for them to attend classes.
Disabled MP, Julius Nye Cuffie has said one of the reasons he went to Parliament was to agitate disability issues and to make the disabled his constituents. The Conventions on the Persons with Disability has just been ratified by Parliament and in that Act issues like preferential treatment to the disabled should be accorded them and issues also like free medical treatment, transportation access to public places and right to employment should be accorded them. Hon. Cuffie also said with the proposed Disability Bill underway will address issues of the disabled.
By Ishmael Bayoh
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