Special Needs Education in Crisis: Staff Shortages and Funding Delays Hit Hard

School heads in Fort Portal City managing units for special needs pupils have raised concerns over severe staff shortages and funding delays that are hampering their ability to provide essential services.

Since the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1997, two schools in Fort Portal City—Canon Apollo Demonstration School in North Division and St. Peter and Paul Primary in Central Division were designated as centers for pupils with special needs.

These schools have welcomed students who are mentally challenged , deaf, and visually impaired for years.

On a recent visit to Canon Apollo Demonstration School,  the head teacher Mr George Kituku expressed consern over the challenges his school is facing. He said that Canon Apollo currently has 73 students with special needs, including those who are deaf and interlectually disabled.

Some of these students come from neighboring districts within the Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions.

Need for more SNE  teachers

Mr Kituku noted that the school currently has only two specialized teachers for these students, despite an ideal student-teacher ratio of three pupils per teacher.

He mentioned that three other special needs teachers were transferred to different schools that do not serve students with special needs, and they have not been replaced yet.

“We need at least five specialized teachers to ensure that each student receives adequate attention, currently, we are managing with only two teachers, which is difficult given the high number of pupils. Due to the inclusion policy, we mix the special needs students with others for some lessons.”

No Subvention Grant.

For the third term, Canon Apollo received a UPE capitation grant of 2,037,633 Ugandan Shillings on September 23, but no special needs funding has arrived so far.

In the previous two terms, the school received grants for both UPE and special needs, totaling 2,090,633 Shillings and 1,977,574 Shillings in the first term, and 2,587,526 Shillings and 2,017,327 Shillings in the second term, respectively.

Mr Kituku has reached out to the City  education Officer  to address this delay, emphasizing the necessity of special needs funding for basic resources like food,  learning aids/materials and first aid.

This fund is essential. We rely on it to support the unique needs of these students. Right now, we’re having to use part of the UPE grant to cover some of these costs as we wait for the third-term special needs funds,” he said.

Out of the 73 students at the school, 25 are in boarding, with their parents covering some of  the costs, while others commute daily. Three special needs students have also been registered to sit for the Primary Leaving Exams this year.

Some of the SNE pupils in class.

“Teaching these pupils is time-intensive because some of them, given their severe needs, may take an hour to write a single sentence. However, our teachers are dedicated and strive to ensure that every student learns,” Mr. Kituku added.

Teachers need support 

Mr. Godfrey Tideybwa, a special needs teacher at Canon Apollo Demonstration School since 1999, said it is becoming difficulty to teach with only two teachers on staff.

“With just two of us, it’s challenging to cover the curriculum effectively. We only meet with each student three times a week, while on other days, they are integrated with the rest of the student body in different classes,” he said.

Occasionally, volunteers step in to help with teaching, but they are not available consistently. Many teachers are hesitant to work here, as they view teaching special needs students as additional work without extra pay,” he added.

Mr. Tideybwa believes that an increase in salary for special needs teachers would attract more educators to the field.

He reiterated the funding delays for special needs, with the school receiving 1,977,574 Shillings in the first term and 2,017,327 Shillings in the second term, but no funding 2 months down the school term.

motivation is recquired

At St. Peter and Paul Primary School, the situation is similar. The school has 35 special needs pupils, but all of them study in a single classroom despite being at different grade levels.

Ms. Tibasanga Juliet, a special needs teacher at the school, recalled that when special needs classes began in 1997, they were taught across two classrooms. Now, however, all 35 pupils are confined in one, which she said is inadequate.

Among the pupils, one student registered with UNEB at sat for the Primary Leaving Exams (PLE) this year.

“Our special needs unit serves students from nursery up to primary seven, but all of them are crowded in one room, which we feel is insufficient. We also lack essential learning aids, as the administration says there’s no budget for them,” Ms Tibasanga explained

She also expressed concerns over the lack of financial motivation, as special needs teachers receive the same salary as other teachers. She added that a volunteer sign language interpreter assists them, but this person is not a registered teacher nor on the government payroll and is paid by the school through PTA contributions.

Ms. Van Nyakake, another teacher at the school, expressed the need for additional special needs teachers. “Managing the class with only two teachers is difficult. When one of us is absent, it becomes challenging to keep the class under control,” she explained.

Investigation

The Fort portal City Clerk Mr Mugisha Richard, told our reporter  that his office was not aware of the delay in the release of the funds to the special needs schools saying his office is going to engage the city education department to ascertain why the schools have not received the money.

Fort Portal City Mayor, Mr. Asaba Edison Ruyonga, was surprised learning about the delay in funding for special needs pupils.  He committed to investigate the matter thoroughly.

The mayor added that he has instructed the city clerk to look into the matter to ensure the necessary funds are released to support the pupils’ needs and take action if needed.

“I was not aware of this issue, we have tasked the city clerk to find out the reasons for this delay so that we can resolve it and provide the needed support to our pupils.” He Stated.