08 Nov 2021

 In a bid to continually improve the lives of People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs), government has implemented a series of measures including the Special Education Policy. 

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said in his State-of-the-Nation Address yesterday that a review of the policy was ongoing to facilitate improvement of services offered to learners with special education needs. 

He indicated the review would be completed by January 2023. Among policies implemented was the Revised National Policy on Disability to support PLWDs to fully participate in the country’s development, which was passed by Parliament recently he said. 

Also in place was the National Health Rehabilitation Policy, which advocated specialised rehabilitation services for all, including people with disabilities. 

The policy was awaiting approval, he said. 

President Masisi indicated that in its efforts to protect the rights of PLWDs, Botswana, ratified the Convention on the Rights of People Living with Disabilities (CPRD) in August last year. 

The President said construction in Maun of a centre for learners with severe and multiple disability was expected to be completed in 2022. 

“This is the first centre of its kind in Botswana and it is designed to cater for learners who require more specialist assistance for their development,” he said.  ENDS