The Headmistress of the Koforidua School for the Deaf, Mrs. Joyce Adu Agyemang, has called for nationwide investigation into the impact of the use of Sign Language on the academic performance of hearing impaired students .
She said, “Research should be conducted nationwide to investigate the impact of the use of Sign Language on the academic performance of students who are deaf. This is because Sign Language is the medium of instruction as far as educating the deaf is concerned”.
The Headmistress stated that the outcome will inform a review of implementation strategy on the use of sign language education to enhance quality education for the hearing impaired.
She also noted that, education authorities must provide and integrate assistive technologies to facilitate the teaching and learning of students with hearing impairment.
“We must ensure digital platforms comply with universal design principles. Facilitators of students with disabilities should provide multi-modal content, i.e.visual,auditory, and Kinesthetic to match diverse learning needs”.
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The headmistress said this when addressing Inclusive Education forum organized by Bebia B3y3 Fine (BBF) Association in collaboration with DMAC Foundation under Kofkro Project sponsored by Star Ghana and funded by Foundation Botnar.
In her address, Mrs. Adu Agyemang, further made passionate appeal for greater commitment towards inclusive education in Ghana, emphasizing that no child should be left behind, regardless of their abilities
She lamented the barriers students with disabilities continue to face in accessing quality education and urged policymakers, educational leaders, and stakeholders to enforce inclusive education policies, ensuring they are not mere paperwork but actively implemented in schools across the country.
“Disability is not inability,” she said, invoking the famous quote, adding that education must be made accessible, equitable, and tailored to fit every learner. “Empowerment is about providing the tools, confidence, and opportunities needed for individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.”
Mrs. Adu Agyemang stressed the need for the provision of Braille books, audio materials, tactile learning aids, and the integration of assistive technologies to facilitate learning for students with disabilities.
Referencing global frameworks, she cited Sustainable Development Goal 4, which enjoins governments to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
She pointed out that despite Ghana adopting an inclusive education policy in 2015, implementation gaps remain, with many children with disabilities still marginalized and out of school.
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“I propose that Educational leaders, policymakers, and advocates must: Model inclusion in leadership decisions. Fund inclusive initiatives adequately, amplify the voices of persons with disabilities in the creation of education policy, monitor and evaluative progress with transparency with regards to inclusive education practices so far since the implementation of the policy in 2015”. the Headmistress stated.
She tabled some actionable strategies which include Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Teacher training on inclusive practices and Peer support, mentorship programs and Increased family and community engagement.
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The headmistress concluded by urging leaders to model inclusion in policy and practice, fund inclusive initiatives adequately, and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities in the policymaking process.
“When education is truly inclusive, every child wins — and so does humanity,” Mrs. Adu Agyemang declared, rallying stakeholders to transform intentions into action for the benefit of students with disabilities across Ghana.
Meanwhile 12 candidates from the Koforidua School for the Deaf will write this year’s Basic Education Examination (BECE) commences June 11.
Source : Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
