Government to Fund Learners with Disabilities in Private Schools – Bill.
Learners with disabilities in private schools may soon receive government funding if the proposed Learners with Disability Bill, 2023, is passed into law by parliament.
The bill seeks to extend financial aid to both public and private schools that offer special needs education.
If adopted, the bill mandates the Education Cabinet Secretary to regulate the distribution of funds between public and private institutions.
The proposed legislation specifies that the Cabinet Secretary will be responsible for setting funding procedures, provisions, and minimum standards for subsidies to special education schools, ensuring a fair division of funds between public and private institutions.
The bill highlights that any private institution failing to comply with the outlined guidelines, such as charging fees to disabled students or discriminating against them during admission or employment processes, risks losing government funding.
These private institutions receiving financial support from the National Government will be disqualified from further assistance if they violate the rules, particularly by demanding fees from special needs learners or practicing discrimination in admissions.
Special Needs Education Advisory Board
To support the implementation of the proposed legislation, the bill suggests the creation of a Special Needs Education Advisory Board within the Ministry of Education.
This board will provide recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary on matters related to special needs education, evaluate proposed regulations, and report on the progress of initiatives designed to improve special education.
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At the county level, the responsibility of identifying children with disabilities falls to the County Education Boards.
These boards will arrange or carry out assessments of children suspected of needing special education services, ensuring that parents or guardians are informed before any assessments take place.
The bill further requires County Education Boards to maintain an updated register of all learners with special needs within their jurisdictions.
This register will include those enrolled in special education programs outside of regular schools and those who are not receiving any special education services.
Legal Accountability for Parents
The bill also proposes legal measures against parents or guardians who neglect to ensure their disabled children attend school.
Parents who fail to enroll or ensure regular school attendance for their children with disabilities, without reasonable justification, could face legal consequences.
Upon conviction, they could receive a warning for the first offense and a fine not exceeding five thousand shillings for subsequent offenses.
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By focusing on improving the accessibility of education for disabled learners, the Learners with Disability Bill, 2023, aims to ensure equal educational opportunities across both public and private institutions.
Government to Fund Learners with Disabilities in Private Schools – Bill.
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