By Esnart Chingwalu

Lack of trained teachers is affecting education for children with special needs in the country.

This was revealed on Saturday when a group called Friends of Chiradzulu-Zomba Chapter visited Chisombezi School of the Deaf and Blind as well as Mary View School for the Deaf respectively in Chiradzulu  district where they donated assorted items more worth about k800 000.

Speaking after the donation, Henry Makondesa, Secretary for Friends of Chiradzulu Zomba Chapter said they thought of making the donation after noting the problems that the schools are facing.

Makondesa said the learners are supposed to be protected from people who take advantage of their conditions hence the need to provide them with basic needs.

“As friends of Chiradzulu-Zomba Chapter we understood the hard situation that children from Chisombezi school for the Deaf and Blind as well as Mary view hence we organised ourselves with these items so that at least it will help to solve some of their problems,” said Makondetsa.

On his part, Headteacher for Mary View School for the Deaf James Khuku commended the grouping for the donation.

Khuku asked other well-wishers to borrow a leaf and come in to help the schools.

“We urge people and organisations to help children with visual impairment who are struggling to manage their dairy studies at this school where food is becoming  their major challenge,” he said.

Khuku however said the school has only 13 special needs teachers against 172 learners.