Meru: The blinds’ ways of learning


  1. Peris Wairimu, VoicesofAfrica mobile reporter in Meru, Kenya
    When St. Lucy's school for the blind started in 1958,it mainly admitted grown up pupils who had stayed for long in their homes,Without an idea of where to go due to their disabilities. It was not easy to find and bring together these visually impaired children from their villages. Most of them had a bad idea of being mistreated since they could not see.Otherwise that was not the issue.
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    The main aim of the school was to train people with disabilities so as to be self reliant in the future. It is in this case that the school started admitting younger learners to be trained.The school therefore improved academically and thought of starting a nursery section. The nursery department was later divided into 3 sections: The nursery The pre- unit The special class This department has 82 pupils and 6 teachers. Meanwhile the special class caters for the multi-handicapped children.

    Multi- handicapped class consists of children with more than one disability.For example blind and mentally challenged,blind mentally and physically challenged among other disabilities. The only medium of instructions considered at st.Lucy's school for the blind,is the use of Braille Machine. The school has braille books for the totally blind and print books for low visionary. Pupils here learn just like the normal schools.

    They does the same exams and rages among the top ten schools in the area. St. Lucy's school for the blind strives to provide the best care for the disabled in order for them to lead better lives. Mean while the school has a transcription section which offers service to both students and teachers by turning the printed articles into braille.

    This enables the totally blind to use the articles.It is a major resourceful room for the blind pupils since that's where all braille materials are made.