By James Ngalande

Dowa, February 7, Mana: The Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) through its Universal Service Fund (USF) has committed its support to the Ministry of Education to introduce sign language in all primary and secondary schools in Malawi.

MACRA Executive Director Daudi Suleman made the remarks on Monday during the opening of a 5-day training of trainers in sign language in Dowa. He emphasized that for the nation to develop, every Malawian must have equitable access to communication services regardless of location and disability.

"Equitable communication services to all the citizens in Malawi including persons with hearing disability is the backbone to the development of Malawi. But there are challenges in Malawi’s education sector in fully accommodating learners who are deaf which puts them at a disadvantage in terms of performance.

“It is with this background that MACRA through USF decided to step in and support the education sector to introduce and promote sign language in all schools so that every Malawian has access to information," he said.

Daudi said inclusive access to communication and education services will also contribute to achieve Malawi 2063 goals.

Deputy Director for inclusive education in the Ministry of education Lucy Magagula said the inclusion of sign language in all schools will help learners with hearing disability in their studies and eventually bridge the communication gap.

"The Ministry is very grateful to MACRA through USF for the support. This is a very important step because we have a lot of learners who are deaf hence requiring specialists to teach them, of which we have few. Therefore, this training will help address this challenge," said Magagula.

One of the participants Hannah Chiwindi from Thyolo secondary school applauded MACRA for the initiative saying this will help them to deliver quality lessons to leaners with hearing problems.