Regional News of Monday, 19 September 2016

Source: Maxwell Okamafo Addo

Ensuring inclusive education is a shared responsibility – Matilda Amissah-Arthur

Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur

The Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur has stressed that ensuring inclusive education in the country is a shared responsibility; hence the need for parents to compliment the efforts of teachers.

She said every child has a potential to be a future leader, so the need for them to be given the needed attention because every child deserves a special treat.

Ghana's Second Lady, Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur, made the statement when she attended the Speech and Prize Giving Day of Kinder Paradise Orphanage at Prampram in the Dangme East District of the Greater Accra Region.

Mrs. Amissah–Arthur said no child is dumb, so parents and guardians must have time for each child at home to bring any special skills they might have.

The Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur further stated that those with a disability must be given special attention and be taken to the appropriate institution for help.

She used the occasion to interact with the children at the orphanage. And advised the kids to take their lessons seriously to excel in life and become the future leaders of the country.

The Second Lady, a benefactress to Kinder Paradise for the past four years, said it had been her practice to visit the orphanage at least twice a year, to extend a helping hand to them.

As part of her Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the children, she normally visits them and donated co food items as well as educational materials like pens, pencils, and exercise books to support the children’s needs.

The Staff and management of Kinder Paradise appealed to benevolence organisations and individuals to provide the school with a bus and other materials to enhance operations at the orphanage.

The school Girls' prefect, Tracy Carbo appealed to benevolent organisations and individuals for buses for the school to enhance operations. Awards were presented to deserving pupils.

Kinder Paradise, meaning Children’s Paradise in the German language, is a Christian charitable organisation, which cares for impoverished, marginalised, socially neglected and children deprived of their rights.

The children put up some performances in poetry recitals, Bible verses, drama, cultural dance and a host of educational activities to entertain The Second Lady, Mrs. Amissah Arthur.

Madam Silke Roesner, Director of Kinder Paradise, said it was her greatest wish to see the children grow up to become independent, self-confident and responsible members of their communities.

Kinder Paradise established in October 1998, has 74 children in all – 29 girls and 45 boys who have been enrolled in school from Nursery to Junior High School (JHS) levels.

Kinder Paradise Children's Home has since then reintegrated over hundred children. Currently, it has a total population of 228 children and 20 staff. The orphanage was set up to provide care, and education, to orphans, and the less privileged children in society. At the celebration of the school's tenth anniversary pupils performed short sketches and cultural displays.

Various speakers stressed the importance of inclusive education in shaping the lives of children.