One On One Foundation has visited the Bechem School for the Blind and Deaf to share some drinks and entertain the children as part of their corporate social responsibility ahead of the Chrismas celebration.
According to Mr. Emmanuel Ola Williams, C.E.O of the Foundation, the rationale behind the gesture was to urge corporate organizations, churches, Associations, Schools as well as individuals to remember the physically challenged during the Christmas and New Year festive seasons.
“Let’s show some love in this Christmas festivities.”
The School expressed its gratitude to Kasapreko Company Limited and One On One Foundation for visiting and the mega gesture done to them on the 26th of November, 2023.
According to a letter signed by Mr. Armstrong Adu Boakye, Acting Principal of the School, the visit and the distribution of Melo carbonated soft drinks to the students came at the right time and put smiles on the faces of these special needs students.
The School hopes that the company will continue to support them in training these disabled students in order to help them fit properly into society.
Read the full letter below >>>>
Background of the School
Bechem School for the Deaf was established on the 3rd January, 1969 with fourteen (14) students but was officially opened 31st May, 1969 with 30 students thus twenty-one (21) boys and nine (9) girls.
In the year 1987, the Ghana Education Service up-graded the school to run Technical and Vocational course for the Middle School leavers now Junior High School Graduates
The Special Education Division of the Ghana Education Service started a pilot Inclusive Education Programme in 2003 for the blind and low vision students in the school. Currently the blind students are accommodated, fed and given braille and lower primary education in the school. The students are included to Josco Practice School when they get to upper primary to study with their regular colleagues.
Vision statement
Bechem School for the Deaf and Blind aspires to be a premier special school in bilingual Deaf and Blind education in Ghana that empowers each student to reach his/her full potential and become self-determined, independent and responsible citizens within his/her community.
Mission
Bechem School for the Deaf offers high quality educational and co-curricular activities that prepare its graduates for further academic, social, and career success.
Specific Objectives for students
Students will:
- Demonstrate a mastery of both GSL/ Braille and English
- Approach challenges with positivity and perseverance
- Respect themselves and tolerate other views
- Develop self-confidence through curiosity and creativity
- Set career goals that give purpose to their learning
- Exhibit self-discipline and obey school rules and regulations.
Specific Objectives for Staff
Teacher and other staff will: - Respect, value, and honour the language and culture of Deaf individuals
- Demonstrate a mastery of GSL/ Braille and English
- Approach work with optimism, humility, and teamwork
- Set high expectations for students’ behaviour and academic performance
- Develop lessons and tasks that align to the standards of SPED/GES
- Serve as role-models and mentors to students
Challenges
It is unfortunate that a lot of these students have lost their parents. Others find themselves in broken homes due to the blame game among couples for the cause of their ward’s disability. A lot of the people who bring these children to our school are not the true parents of the children. Most of these children are brought to the school without basic personal items such as sponge, towel, toothbrush and toothpaste not to think student’s mattress which is very important for their stay in the school.
Most of the children are sleeping on the floor due to the fact that their parents/guardians are unable to buy students mattresses for them. It is in light of the above that the School Management appeals to all benevolent agencies to assist these young ones with Students’ Mackintosh Mattresses
