Integrated Education Programme (IEP), in collaboration with GOVI, recently organised a one day workshop for participation in IEP and education on its mission, activities and the way forward. The programme was attended by both parents and guardians and aimed to focus on blind and impaired vision children.

In her welcoming remarks, the IEP national coordinator Ramou S. Riley said that since IEP came into being in The Gambia it has had great concern and consideration for children who are blind. She noted that IEP deem it fit and necessary to invite parents and guardians to discuss with them issues around the care and the full social interaction of children with vision impairment in the community at large.

According to the IEP coordinator, these children are an integral part of society. She said that parents, guardians and family members must fight any form of stigmatisation or discrimination against these children.

Mrs. Riley revealed that information taught will be reflected in these children as disability is a natural posting from God.

For her part, Anna Vaney Mendy, Basic Education for Region one, thanked the Department of State for Education for their efforts to ensure that no individual is excluded from the benefits of education.

She highlighted the strides that have been made in including many formerly marginalised groups in The Gambia.

She said parents play a vital role in the development of their children. She said a lot of what a child grows up to enjoy in the future depends on the grounding they have received from their parents.

She described special education as a radical and holistic change in attitudes and misconceptions about individuals with special needs.

“I believe that parents will continue to make a positive impact in the lives of this vulnerable group by assisting teachers and reinforcing what is learned at school,” she said.

Other speakers during the workshop included Meehammed Krubally Blind and Low Vision in the Community and Muhammed Kora Provision of Care and Special Education.