A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. MARTIN DEPPORES SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR LEARNERS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY.
St. Martin Deppores Special School for learners with Cerebral Palsy was registered by the Ministry of Education as a Special institution, Registration No. SP/ED/081/2006 on 31st July, 2006.
The aschoo; is located 5km off the Kisumu-Sondu road. It is situated in Kisumu County, Nyakach Sub County, Upper Nyakach Division, Koguta Location, Koguta-East Sub location in Sigoti Zone. The school is in the Arch Diocese of Kisumu and is run by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna-Lwak.
The school occupies an area of approximately 2.5 Hectares of land with a learner population of two hundred and sixty nine (269) one hundred and forty six (146) of whom are boys while one hundred and twenty three (123) are girls. It has a work force of 19 TSC (government) teaching staff for primary and special classes (11 males 8 females), eighteen (18) non-teaching staff, two (2) ECDE teaching staff and one (1) teaching support staff.
The school has (8) permanent mainstream classrooms, two (2) special classes for learners with severe impairments, three levels of prevocational classes for learners who have difficulties in coping with the regular curriculum, even with necessary adaptations in the mainstream classes and an ECDE semi-permanent classroom.
It also has six (6) self-contained dormitories two (2) out of which are singles floor while four (4) are in a storey building. There are six (6) pit latrines: two (2) are for boys, two (2) for girls and the rest two (2) are for staff.
St. Martin has a mandate to undertake teaching and provide specialized services to learners with Cerebral Palsy (CP). It is a mixed boarding and public special school. Alongside academic programmes which are learner-centred, the school also undertakes to identify, nurture and enhance gifts and talents in learners in various co-curriculum activities such as:
1. Adapted Ball Games
2. CP Races
3. Wheelchair and Crutch Races
4. CP Gaming Activities
5. Fine Arts and
6. Music.
MAIN GOALS FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT
a) To serve learners with Physical Impairment, those with cerebral Palsy, Autism, Mental Impairment as well as Orphans and Vulnerable learners who are admitted in the school.
b) To enable learners realize their full potential despite their varied disability.
c) To mobilize people to help the persons who are challenged, poor, vulnerable and needy.
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHOOL
Develop links with other special institutions.
Effectiveness and efficiency in transfer of knowledge and skills.
Quality education for learners with varied impairments.
Empower learners with Physical Impairments to acquire skills which will enable them live not only independently but also in a fulfilling and economically productive manner.
Develop plan of action and collaboration with development partners.
To provide habilitation and rehabilitation services to learners with various physical impairments.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Provision of special facility and devices such as special seats, tables, benches and storage cabins for secure storage.
24 trained and qualified Special Needs Education teachers.
SANA International (UNICEF), has constructed latrines for both boys and girls in our school.
Every year, we transit at least two or more learners to the National Secondary Schools.
Two classrooms sponsored by the Association for persons with Disabilities in Kenya (APDK).
Participating in Special Sports and Games has earned our school a number of trophies from both local and National events.
The pupils’ population is continually increasing every year.
AREAS OF NEED FOR THE SCHOOL
There is most urgent need for assistance in feeding our learners (most basic need), owing to the current strains that the school is going through.
There is need for renovating the water harnessing system as well as the sewer system there is dire need for a better source of water and as the population keeps swelling, alongside the higher demand for sanitation with the advent of COVID-19.
There is an urgent need for a unit for transport such as a bus with appropriate adaptations such as hydraulic ramps.
There is need for more toilets/ latrines with appropriate adaptations for better accessibility and use by learners with Physical Impairments.
There is also a great need for Physiotherapy cum Occupational Therapy facility with requisite sectional service delivery units such as Gymnasium for exercises, requisite equipment and devices; related service providers including orthopedic specialists to assist in measurement, fitting and servicing varied as assistive technologies used by our learners.
There is need for environmental design modification such as establishment of pavements and ground leveling for ease of movement and accessibility by learners with mobility difficulties such as wheelchair or scooter board or crutch users and those who require orientation and mobility training.
There is need for vocational workshops and equipment used in tailoring and embroidery, among others.