Ministry, MACRA engage teachers on sign language use

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with Malaŵi Regulatory Authority (MACRA) have engaged 70 secondary and primary school teachers across the country to impart them with knowledge and skills on the use of sign language in schools.

Speaking during the second phase of Trainer of Trainers on Sign Language on Monday in Mponela, Dowa, Deputy Director of Inclusive Education, Lucy Magagula said promoting the full participation of persons with disabilities is an integral part of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

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“We find it imperative to promote Inclusion of deaf learners through the use of sign language in schools during the teaching and learning process so as to address the communication barrier,” she said.

Magagula added that the ministry intends to establish Malawi School Language Clubs at every zone in all 34 education districts of the country in order to increase equitable access to quality and relevant education by deaf learners.

She said the initiative to train teachers in the sign language demonatrates full commitment of the ministry in its endeavor towards the achievement of the ambitions expressed in SDGs as well as in the Malawi 2063.

In his remarks MACRA Director General, Daud Suleman, said his authority is promoting inclusive education through the use of sign language to ensure no one is left behind towards achieving the 2063 agenda.

“In this journey, we will ensure people living with hearing impairment become included in the digital transformation drive by creating an environment where they can access information,” he said.

Suleman bemoaned inadequate intergratiion of sign languages in television programming saying broadcasting services have not been inclusive for people with hearing impairments.

However, the Universal Service Fund (USF) a unit under MACRA is supporting the trainings to ensure education for all.