Accra, Feb.28, GNA – The Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, says Government is committed to prioritising the education of children with special needs to enable them contribute to development of the nation.
He said children with special needs required and deserved special care and attention to unearth their talents.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour said this at the launch of the ‘‘My Chocolate Day at School’’ initiative introduced by the Ministry of Education in conjunction with UNICEF, Golden Tree, EPP Book Services and Prefos Limited, at the Dzorwolu Special School in Accra.
‘‘My Chocolate Day at School’’ is an initiative to be celebrated annually on February 14 by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and its partners by distributing cocoa products to all learners in all public schools nationwide.
It is also to show love to pupils as part of the National Chocolate Day celebration.
In 2015, the Ghana Education Service launched the Inclusive Education Policy to address the educational challenges encountered by children with special needs and disabilities, and to ensure that all learners are provided equitable access to quality teaching and the enabling environment as well.
Currently, there are 28 Special Schools in the country.
Rev Ntim Fordjour said the Ministry had shown its commitment to focus on providing inclusive quality and free education to all children in the country, including children with special needs and disabilities.
He expressed delight at the sight of the smiles of the children, and the display of their talents.
‘‘It is the focus of the Minister of Education to keep the smiles on your faces every day of the year, we are happy when we see you smile, we are happy when you are happy,’’ he said.
The Deputy Minister urged parents with special children to collaborate with the Ministry to be supported to mainstream their children into the education process.
He said they would visit all Special Schools this year to celebrate the National Chocolate Day with the children because they were special.
The Deputy Minister reiterated Governments resolve to provide all children in the country access and opportunity to quality education regardless of their disabilities.
‘‘That is what the Ministry is busy with to ensure that no child is left behind, not side-lined, not kept in a room and not marginalised, but must be included in the education so that the best in them will be brought out,’’ he added.
Rev Ntim Fordjour stated that the winner of this year’s Robotics and STEM Competition at the tertiary level held in the country had some autistic challenges, indicating that the Government was focused on pursuing the Sustainability Development Goal 4 by providing opportunity to all children.
Mrs Bernice Addae, Director of Special Education Division at the Ghana Education Service, said the Ministry was ‘‘leaving no stone unturned,’’ as far as the development of children and teachers were concerned.
‘‘It behoves on us to show some love and care to the children,’’ she said.
She underscored the need for children to consume cocoa products for the nutritional and health benefits, including reducing inflammation, ensuring better blood flow, lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Mrs Addae expressed appreciation to the partners for supporting the initiative.
GNA