Hornby High School in Kabale is stuck with 18 visually impaired students because of lack of funds following the withdrawal of Common Wealth Society for the blind. Hornby High School is the only secondary school in Western Uganda that has been offering education to handicapped students.
However, following the withdrawal of Common Wealth Society for the blind the school is now stuck with 18 students because of lack of funds and special equipment for training handicapped students. As a result, some of the students have decided to abandon school. David Tindyebwa, the only qualified special needs teachers in the school says that he is finding it difficult to handle students in ordinary level and advanced level classes.
He says that the brail section in the school was started in 1962 by common wealth society for the blind, adding that most of the available books are no longer on the syllabus. He says that they are in urgent need of Perkin Braillers to enable the students write because those that were donated to the school way back in 1962 are grounded. Tindyebwa also says that they need talking calculators and computers to meet the needs of Advanced level students.
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Caroline Nabaasa, an advanced level arts student says that they do not have enough textbooks and brail papers. She however says that despite the challenge she has always remained a top performer. Warren Ahebwomugisha, a senior three student says that in addition to lack of the basic requirements her family is unable to pay his tuition at upkeep at the school.
Justus Mpambara, the head teacher Hornby High School says that they only receive shilling 1.5 million from government each month to cater for the students. He says the money is used to provide meals, accommodation as well as meals to the students. Mpambara however explains that the students need special facilities yet most of them come from humble families.
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Richard Mugahehwenki, the Inspector of schools in charge of special needs education Kabale district says the blind students are going through difficult times, adding that they are looking up to well wishers to come in and save the situation. He says that there is need for government to increase funding to the school because it handles blind students from the entire region.
