MNPDC Minister joined panel discussion on global partnership for assistive technology
Minister for the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), Hon. Trevor Manemahaga, was a panellist at a high-level panel discussion on global partnership for Assistive Technology (AT) while attending the Second World Summit for Social Development that concluded in Doha, Qatar, on 6th November.
The panel session was a side event during the summit that explored how multi-stakeholder partnerships can integrate AT into educational systems, transforming lives and upholding the promise of inclusive education. AT can be used to promote inclusive education for children, ensuring that no one is left behind.
According to Minister Manemahaga, the 2019 Solomon Islands Census shows that about 11% of Solomon Islanders live with a disability, yet only two percent of children with disabilities are enrolled in primary school, dropping to one percent or less at secondary level.
On top of that, he said, more than one in every 10 persons aged five and older experience functional limitations.
Minister Manemahaga noted that those having difficulty in seeing represented 10.6 percent, remembering represented 8.4 percent, walking represented 7.8 percent, hearing represented 5.6 percent, self-care represented 4.7 percent and communicating represented 3.7 percent.
He said to close this gap, there is a need to strengthen policy and legislative frameworks to guarantee inclusive education for all children, backed by clear guidelines for schools and educators.
Solomon Islands has been selected as one of the recipients of the AT Scale Project along with six other Pacific Countries. Once implemented, the ATscale project will support the screening of school-aged children for vision, hearing and mobility needs and provide eyeglasses, hearing aids or mobility devices as required.
“This project (ATscale) will strengthen our education system in a sustainable way by helping children fully participate in school and achieve their potential,” Minister Manemahaga said.
The Assistive Technology and Education policy brief, developed by ATscale and UNICEF with funding support from the Australian Government was also launched at the side event.
Minister Manemahaga affirmed that inclusive education means no child is left behind and that every child deserves the chance to learn, participate and reach their full potential.
The MNPDC Minister, who led a six-member delegation to represent Solomon Islands at the summit, joined the panel discussion on 5th November.
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-MNPDC Press Release