By Julie Badui Owa – EMTV News, Lae
A 21-year-old student living with disabilities, who’s currently doing his Grade 9 at FODE in Lae, says there should be proper institutions available for persons with disabilities who wish to further their education.
Charlie Kerowagi is from Chimbu and is assisted by a helper, in a class of over 100 able-bodied students, since school began this year. The helper is a volunteer who stands with the teacher and communicates to Charlie when the teacher is teaching.
Charlie, who has hearing and speech impairments, says he’s happy to be given a second chance through FODE.
The 21-year old completed his Grade 1 to 7, at Markham Road Primary school in Lae, and was selected to do his grade 9 at Malahang Technical School last year but because his family couldn’t afford his school fees, he couldn’t go to school.
Charlie has enrolled here three weeks ago and enjoys class every day because he’s not left out, with the assistance of his helper.
The School’s Principal, Nick Raka says both the national and the provincial government should seriously look into this and provide facilities for persons with disabilities.
