Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda is joined by learners and and other guests to cut cake during Masaka School for the Deaf ’s 20-year anniversary. PHOTO/DAPHINE NAKABIRI
Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda has called government, corporate entities, and individuals to understand, appreciate, love and support children with special needs cases, to enable them thrive in a society where they have long been marginalised.
The Nnabagereka, who the guest of honour during celebrations to commenrate Masaka School for the Deaf’s 20-year anniversary last Saturday , commended the school for its efforts in fostering inclusive education through providing a safe learning environment where deaf children receive not only primary education but also sign language training and vocational skills.
She also praised the students for their determination, courage and perseverance, in choosing to rise above adversity by pursuing knowledge.She said, “Your spirit reminds us that challenges are merely stepping stones to greater accomplishments.”
The Nnabagereka thus urged the government, corporate entities, and individuals to support the institution in achieving inclusive education as this requires collective effort. She stated, “We must advocate for resources to ensure that schools like this one provide exceptional learning experiences. There is a need to support educators with training materials to communicate and teach effectively.
"She also called on well-wishers to contribute to the school’s ICT initiative and ‘Sponsor a Child’ programme.
Notable persons who attended the event included; I&M Bank CEO Robin Bairstow, Uganda Breweries Ltd Board Chairman- Jimmy Mugerwa, Uganda Breweries Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo, MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge, and Standard Bank Group’s
Regional Head of Global Markets- Mrs Anne Juuko, among others.
“It costs about $300 (Shs1 million) to support a child for a whole year. Let us all work together to create environments where every child, regardless of ability, can learn, grow, and achieve their dreams.”
The school head Sarah Nakabuye expressed concern about parents who neglect their duties toward hard-to-hearing children viewing them as incapable.
“It is disheartening to note that many fathers abandon their responsibilities, leaving mothers, and in some cases, even grandparents to care for these children. In some communities, there is still a stigma that disabilities do not exist within certain clans, further complicating support for these children.” Nakabuye explained.
In a bid to transform these perceptions, the school has had to conduct regular meetings, sign language training, and interactions with alumni, for parents to gain a new appreciation for their children's potential. The administration has been able to thus show parents that deafness is not a disease but a condition that can be embraced.
Nakabuye said, “As part of our commitment to ensure that learners are not isolated from society, through continued sensitization, we have encouraged parents to take their children home and integrate them into their families and communities.” She added, “We also engage the community through music, quizzes, and school visits, spreading the message that children with disabilities deserve equal opportunities, while further prioritizing the learners’ safety through our Peer Say program, which teaches them how to protect themselves from exploitation.”
Milestones realised
Ms Nakabuye highlighted that over the years the Masaka School of the Deaf has continued to improve and also perform well in both academics and sports, noting that last year, all eight candidates who sat for their Primary Leaving Examinations at the school passed.
“In sports, we have also made remarkable achievements. Our school has won three consecutive national championships (2022-2024) in the primary league, competing against mainstream schools,” she said.
Whereas one of the school’s major achievements is ensuring that every student, whether they continue with formal education or not, leaves with skills that enable them to be self-sufficient, the schools not only educates but also empowers learners through vocational training skills such as baking, weaving, tailoring, farming and computer skills, and that have helped improve lives of more than 1,000 alumni of the school.
Despite its achievements, the school faces significant financial challenges. Ms Nakabuye revealed that only 20 students can afford tuition, with the school’s director Francis Kamulegeya, personally covering 50 percent of the costs for many learners.
Looking forward
In a bid to create a space where deaf children are able to thrive in the world and be able to make a difference, Mr Kamulegeya, the school Director shared his vision for the future, by emphasizing the importance of digital education for deaf learners. “We have established a student ICT Digital Learning Resource Centre because we believe that deaf children should have access to technology," He added, "Deaf individuals often excel in programming and coding due to their strong visual and hands-on skills, and even when they cannot hear, they can communicate through text, messaging, and visual learning,” Mr kamulegeya said.
However, despite the generous support from several corporate entities, the school still faces challenges in fully equipping the ICT center. Kamulegeya revealed that while the computers were stolen, the school urgently needs 36 computers to restore and enhance the facility. Ideally, to fully prepare learners for the modern world and bridge the digital divide, 133 computers, one for each learner would be required to create a comprehensive digital learning environment.
School History
Masaka School for the Deaf was founded in 2005 by Francis Kamulegeya and his late sister, Sophia Kafeero. The duo had a vision to uplift children often overlooked by society, those who are deaf but capable in many ways. Instead of using their resources elsewhere, they invested in a school that would give these children a voice, even if not in the conventional sense.
In 2018, a UK-based HIV organization, withdrew funding. The founders contemplated closing the school, but with the intervention of Doreen Ankunda, the Commissioner at the Ministry of Education, the school sought a partnership with a government school. In 2019 when officials from the Ministry of Education visited the school, they determined that the institution was strong enough to stand independently. Since then, the government has provided a grant of Shs1.17m annually and covers salaries for seven teachers.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Masaka School for the Deaf started with only 12 pupils and two teachers. However today, it has grown to accommodate 133 children, with a clear mission, to empower deaf children to become recognized, independent individuals. The schools equips learners with academic knowledge, vocational skills in weaving, tailoring, baking activities and confidence to integrate into society
