By Richard Kagunda

Kasungu, March 5, Mana: Project Officer for Universal Service Fund under Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Rachael Chadowa, says sign language is an important tool and is crucial for development in the modern world.

Chadowa said this on Tuesday in Kasungu District when she inspected teaching of sign language by Kasungu Sign Language Club at Kasungu Demonstration Primary School.

MACRA trained teachers to be teaching sign language to children in primary schools and has formed 53 clubs across the nation with an aim of promoting communication using the language.

“In modern world, sign language has to be taught to almost everybody because it is crucial for development.

"The understanding is that if everybody knows sign language, it will be very easy to communicate to those that are deaf and hence ensuring that no one is left behind.

“We thought it wise that learners must learn sign language from a tender age. We believe that as they grow up they will be experts and will help to create a society that makes communication much easier between those with and without hearing impairments,” Chadowa said.

She said she was impressed with the progress of the lessons at the club, saying learners are fast able to grasp the tricks of the language.

Matron for the club, Mercy Nkosi, said learners have shown great interest in the language and are doing well to master it.

“We are optimistic that in the years to come we will have many learners communicating using sign language with some level expertise as many children are joining our club.

"Let me applaud MACRA for equipping us with the knowledge of sign language which we are transferring to our learners," she said.

Nkosi, however, bemoaned lack of adequate learning materials for the club.

One of the learners, Praise Mzembe, expressed gratitude to MACRA for making sign language accessible to them through their teachers saying now the pupils are able to communicate with other learners that have hearing problems.

Mzembe appealed to fellow youngsters to learn sign language to reduce communication challenges with their deaf counterparts.