ME-PI will implement education for people living with disabilities in three Districts

The Ministry of Education (ME) and Plan International (PI) have signed an agreement to provide education for people living with disability in three Districts, especially those with limited access to education. 

“Today we signed an agreement with Plan International who obtained funding from the German Government to assist our colleagues, some of whom are visually or hearing impaired,  so they can have access to education,” said Apolinário Magno, Director-General for the Ministry of Education, in Vila Verde, Dili.
Starting this year, the Districts of Aileu, Lautem, and Dili will be the first three Districts benefiting from this three-year initiative. “We can then assess the progress over the three year period,” said Apolinário.

“For the visually impaired, we have a range of materials which will make it easier to understand about the things we talk about,” said the Director-General.

Mr. José Mesquita, representing Plan International, said they have a good working relationship with the Ministry of Education and hoped this would provide good education for illiterate people living with a disability. 

“We shall focus on children because it’s common for them to be kept away from school once parents learn they have a disability,” said Mesquita.

The German Government has provided the total amount of US$ 200,000 for the three-year program. 
This funding will not only ensure access to education for children living with disability, but will also contribute towards teacher training in techniques specifically used for teaching them.

“For example, teachers will be trained to teach sign language so they can communicate and teach children who are hearing impaired,” explained the Plan representative.