DAR ES SALAAM: MORE than 180 youth with intelectual disabilities in the Morogoro Region have benefited from a vocational skills training project for youth with intellectual disabilities.
A four-year project was implemented in the region through Kihonda Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), Bigwa Folk Development College (FDC), and Ifakara FDC, under the sponsorship of the government of Finland.
Speaking after the presentation of the report of the project’s implementation at a working session hosted by the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) in Dar es Salaam, the Executive Director for the Mafiga Women and Youth Development Organisation (MWAYODEO), Mr Venance Mlali saidi that a total of 181 youth have benefited from this project, which began in 2019, covering various fields including tailoring,cooking and carpentry.
“When we started this project, we set a goal to reach 150 youth with intelectual disability, but by the time this project concludes, we have already reached 181 youth in the Morogoro region,” he said.
He said despite the success, the challenges persist, saying some parents and guardians didn’t believe that the persons with intellectual disabilities can be able to learn various things.
Coupled with this, he urged parents and the community to stop the practice of confining children with intellectual disabilities at home, and instead to take them to places designated for their educational development.
Mr Mlali also implored the government to continue collaborating with various stakeholders to promote vocational skills for youth with intellectual disabilities.
Giving evaluations of a study conducted during the project, Dr Gervas Kawonga from Mkwawa University College of Education noted that vocational skills, particularly decoration, arts and crafts are more suitable for youth with intellectual disabilities.
“Results revealed that 93(57 per cent ) of the respondents suggested that vocational skills,arts and craft ,decoration, and music are the most suitable vocations for persons with intelectual disability to engage in,,” he said
Adding : “Based on the project evaluation findings ,there is a large demand for vocational training for youths with intellectual disability. The government should give priority in this regard.”
Closing the session ,the Director for Speial Need at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Magreth Matonya committed to work on the challenges addressed during the execution of the project.
However, she commended the MWAYODEO for implementing well the project and surpasing the target .
In particular,she called on the Finnish government to continue supporting the government to ensure more yourth with intectual disability are reached.
Ends.
