Three children with disabilities have been awarded scholarships by Singaita Primary school in Kapoeta Municipality, Eastern Equatoria state.
The pupils are aged 11, 12, and 14. They are Makur Magot, Nhial Matiop and Mayen Atiang. Among them is a child with a hearing problem, and another with mental instability.
The acting head teacher of Singaita Primary school said they canceled the fees of the three to promote access to education for orphans and learning for children with disabilities.
“We have one in Primary 3, another is in Primary 2, and the other is in Nursery. ..it is our responsibility to take care of them,” Philip Tiem said.
Elizabeth Adut, a widow in Rei residential area in Kapoeta town told Singaita FM that her child is among the beneficiaries of the scholarship initiative.
“I am now happy. I had no means to pay the school fees for my child. A lot of things depend on me; money for food and school fees for the kids is all on me, including clothes,” she stated.
Philip Tiem appealed to the public to support orphans and children with disabilities through scholarship programs to enable them enrol in school.
“Disability is not inability. I am encouraging the public to join hands together with administrations in different schools to take a child to any other school… it is our core responsibility because most of the parents cannot afford to pay for the school fees like single parents cannot afford to pay schools.”